Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to Implement VAR in Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). The President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has confirmed the Federation’s intention to introduce Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL). Speaking at a press conference, President Gusau announced, “We will work with international partners to train referees on VAR operations.” This initiative aims to enhance the accuracy and fairness of officiating in the league, bringing it in line with international standards. In addition to VAR implementation, President Gusau also confirmed that referees will be equipped with…

Ivan Rakitić To Depart Al Shabab, Set for European Return (Govima Sports Report). Ivan Rakitić has informed Al Shabab of his decision to leave the club with immediate effect, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Croatian midfielder is now poised for a return to European football. Rakitić, 36, has enjoyed an illustrious career spanning multiple top clubs across Europe. He began his professional journey at FC Basel in Switzerland, where he made a significant impact and caught the eye of scouts from major leagues. In 2007, he made a move to the Bundesliga, joining Schalke 04. His performances…

President Tinubu Appoints New Head of Civil Service of the Federation. President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, effective from 14 August 2024. Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), conveyed the President’s message to newsmen in Abuja. Mrs. Walson-Jack, who has been a Federal Permanent Secretary since 2017, has an extensive background in various Ministries. She will succeed Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR, who is set to retire on 13 August 2024. In his announcement, President Tinubu expressed…

Osimhen Set to Join PSG with 24-Billion-Naira Wage Package. Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen is on the verge of completing a high-profile transfer to Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain from Napoli within the next 48 hours. This move signifies a significant step in Osimhen’s career as he prepares to take on new challenges at one of Europe’s elite clubs. The 25-year-old striker has been the subject of intense speculation, attracting interest from prominent clubs such as Chelsea, Manchester United, and several Saudi Arabian teams. Osimhen’s exceptional goal-scoring ability and physical presence on the pitch have made him a highly sought-after…

House of Representatives Donates #100 Million to Team Nigeria for 2024 Olympics. Team Nigeria’s preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games in France has received a significant boost with a generous donation of N100 million from the House of Representatives. The announcement was made today in Abuja during a plenary session where the House hosted the Minister of Sport, John Enoh, and the Nigerian Olympic team. Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu revealed that the donation would be sourced from the salaries of the House members. “The money is coming from our salaries,” Mr Kalu stated, emphasising the personal commitment of…

Liverpool Appoint John Heitinga as Assistant Coach. Liverpool have announced the appointment of John Heitinga as the new assistant coach for their men’s first team. The 40-year-old Dutchman will join head coach Arne Slot’s staff ahead of the 2024-2025 season. Liverpool disclosed the news in a statement on their official website, highlighting Heitinga’s impressive career as a centre-back. Heitinga earned 87 caps for the Netherlands and played for prominent clubs including Ajax, Atletico Madrid, Everton, Fulham, and Hertha BSC before retiring in 2016. Prior to his appointment at Liverpool, Heitinga served as first-team assistant coach at West Ham…

Fernandez Faces Disciplinary Action Over Alleged Racist Chant. Chelsea have initiated disciplinary proceedings against midfielder Enzo Fernandez following a video he posted on social media, which the French Football Federation (FFF) claims includes an alleged “racist and discriminatory” chant. On Tuesday, the FFF announced it would file a complaint with world governing body Fifa over the video, which features a song sung by some members of the Argentina squad about France’s black players. Fernandez’s Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana, who has one cap for France, described the video on Instagram as “uninhibited racism.” Fernandez, a £107m British record signing…

Federal Government Successfully Repatriates Over 100 Stranded Nigerians from UAE. The Federal Government has successfully repatriated more than a hundred Nigerians who were stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This development was confirmed by Bashir Garga, the Zonal Director for the North Central region of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in a statement issued in Abuja. Upon their arrival, the returnees underwent thorough profiling and documentation by relevant agencies. They were also provided with counselling on the importance of maintaining decorum and responsibility as they reintegrate into society. “The Federal Government urges all Nigerians, wherever they may…

Power Africa Collaborates With USAID To Train Over 700 Women and Youth for Jobs in Nigeria’s Clean Energy Sector. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Power Africa have announced the successful conclusion of a landmark programme aimed at boosting women’s participation in Nigeria’s clean energy sector. The initiative, a priority under the Biden-Harris Administration, has provided over 700 women and youth with the skills and opportunities to pursue careers in clean energy. Launched in September 2023, the “Growing Green Jobs for Women in Nigeria” programme has been instrumental in equipping participants with critical skills needed for the…

Abdullahi Maikaba Set to Return as Wikki Tourist Manager. Abdullahi Maikaba has reportedly accepted an offer to manage Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Wikki Tourist, marking his return to the club for a second stint after his previous tenure in 2016. The 59-year-old tactician is expected to be unveiled as the Bauchi Elephants’ new technical adviser later this week, bringing his extensive experience to the team once again. Wikki Tourists have turned to Maikaba following their failure to secure promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) last season. The team finished third in the NNL Northern Conference…

Iran Denies Involvement in Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump. Iran has firmly denied any involvement in the recent attempted assassination of former United States President Donald Trump, labelling the accusations as “unsubstantiated and malicious.” The Iranian Mission to the United Nations responded to allegations following an incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a 20-year-old individual attempted to shoot Trump during a campaign event on Saturday. The shooter missed Trump and was subsequently killed by the Secret Service at the scene. The accusation against Iran arose as a supposed act of retaliation for the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. However,…

Luis de la Fuente Achieves Historic Milestone with Euro 2024 Victory. Luis de la Fuente has etched his name into the annals of football history by becoming the first coach to win European Championships at three different age levels. De la Fuente’s latest triumph came as he led the Spain national team to victory at Euro 2024. Spain’s win in the Euro 2024 final not only added another prestigious title to the nation’s footballing accomplishments but also secured De la Fuente’s unique milestone. Prior to this, he had already guided Spain’s U-19 and U-21 teams to European Championship victories,…