Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Erling Haaland faces fitness issue ahead of Manchester City’s Semi-Final clash against Chelsea  Manchester City faces uncertainty ahead of their FA Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea this Saturday as striker Erling Haaland is uncertain to feature. The 23-year-old Norwegian forward was substituted late in their Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final, a match they lost on penalties against Real Madrid. City’s manager Pep Guardiola revealed that Haaland requested to be substituted due to a muscular issue. Guardiola expressed cautious optimism regarding Haaland’s availability for the upcoming semi-final, stating, “We will see how his evolution is in the next hours.” …

Nigerian Forward Nears Move to Gent in Transfer Shake-up Belgium’s KAA Gent is in the spotlight again as they prepare to welcome a new Nigerian striker, potentially filling the void left by Gift Orban’s departure, according to recent transfer reports. The latest update from Belgium suggests that negotiations are underway for Anosike Ementa, a Nigerian-born forward with Danish roots, currently plying his trade with Viborg FF until 2026. Ementa’s journey in professional football saw him move from Aalborg to Viborg FF, where he made 37 appearances for the senior team without finding the net. However, this season…

FA Defends Decision to Scrap FA Cup Replays, Eliciting Mixed Reactions The Football Association (FA) has stood by its decision to eliminate FA Cup replays starting from the 2024-25 season, citing mutual agreement among stakeholders despite criticisms and calls for reevaluation. The announcement, made recently, outlined that the FA Cup matches would only occur on weekends, with replays removed from the first round onward. This move was characterized as a joint decision involving discussions over a considerable period, aiming to strengthen competitions while considering player welfare amidst scheduling challenges. The decision drew a swift response from various…

Sporting Lagos FC Welcomes Experienced Nigerian Coach Abdullahi Biffo as New Head Coach Sporting Lagos FC has officially welcomed Abdullahi Biffo as their new head coach following the departure of Paul Offor. Biffo, a seasoned Nigerian football coach with extensive experience managing clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), steps into this role with a strong track record and a wealth of expertise. Abdullahi Biffo’s appointment comes as a strategic move by Sporting Lagos FC to bolster their coaching staff and elevate the team’s performance. His experience in the NPFL brings valuable insights and tactical acumen that…

Nigeria’s Historic Football Competition Adopts New Name: President Federation Cup In a historic announcement, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and GTI unveiled a new name for Nigeria’s oldest football competition. The knock-out tournament, previously known by various names throughout its illustrious history, will now be called the President Federation Cup. This marks the sixth time that the competition has undergone a name change since its inception in 1945 as the Governor’s Cup. Over the years, the competition has evolved and adapted to reflect the dynamic landscape of Nigerian football. The decision…

NPFL Fixture Schedule Adjusted to Accommodate Rivers United’s Matches The 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season is set to witness a temporary halt in fixtures following this weekend’s matches, as confirmed by the league’s organizer. The upcoming match day 31 is scheduled to kick off on Friday with a match featuring Heartland FC and Shooting Stars. However, Secretary of the club owners, Godwin Enakhena, revealed to Punch correspondent that all other fixtures will be put on hold to allow Rivers United to complete their outstanding games. Enakhena emphasized that the decision to suspend other matches was…

Minister of Sports Urges Super Eagles on World Cup Qualification The Minister of Sports, John Enoh, has emphasized the significance of the Super Eagles qualifying for the next World Cup during a recent address. This call comes in the wake of Nigeria’s narrow miss in the final phase of qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they were edged out by West African rivals Ghana. The upcoming World Cup is slated to be hosted across three North American countries. Nigeria has commenced the qualification journey with an undesirable start, securing two draws from two games. …

Nigeria drawn in group B of upcoming WAFU tournament.  The upcoming WAFU B U17 Championship in Ghana has drawn attention to the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, who find themselves in Group B alongside Burkina Faso, Togo, and Niger. Preparations for the tournament are in full swing as the Golden Eaglets have resumed camping. In Group A, host nation Ghana will face off against Benin Republic and Cote D’Ivoire. Coach Manu Garba is overseeing a screening process for over 50 players selected from various youth tournaments. Most of these players have already undergone the mandatory MRI age test, ensuring their eligibility…

English teams absence in Major European competition Semi-Finals a rare occurrence. What has happened?  England finds itself in an unusual position in European football, with no teams from the country making it to the semi-finals of either the Champions League or Europa League. This occurrence, happening only for the third time in the 21st century, has raised questions about the state of English football in continental competitions. The recent exits of Manchester City and Arsenal from the Champions League quarter-finals, facing defeats against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively, contributed to this absence. Simultaneously, Liverpool and West Ham failed…

Manchester City Set to Discuss Contract Extension with Pep Guardiola In an exciting development for Manchester City fans, the club is preparing to engage in discussions with Pep Guardiola regarding a contract extension at the end of the season. The renowned Spanish coach has yet to make a decision regarding his future with the Premier League giants, setting the stage for crucial talks in the coming months. Guardiola, known for his tactical brilliance and transformative impact on Manchester City, has been instrumental in the club’s recent successes. Under his guidance, Manchester City has secured the champions league title,…

Julian Nagelsmann extends contract with Germany National team. Germany’s national team manager, Julian Nagelsmann, has committed to an extended contract that will see him leading the team until after the 2026 World Cup. Nagelsmann, who took over from Hansi Flick in September 2023, expressed his deep connection to the role, describing it as an immense honor to coach the national team. Under Nagelsmann’s leadership, Germany has seen notable successes, winning three out of six games since his appointment. His initial contract was set to expire in July, coinciding with Euro 2024, which Germany will host. “This is a…

Moses Bako hails Confluence Queens after Super Six qualification Lokoja-based women’s football supporter and stakeholder, Moses Bako Nagogo, has praised Confluence Queens for securing a spot in the 2023/2024 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership Super Six. Confluence Queens sealed their qualification with a 2-0 victory against Abia Angels on the road. As the chairman of Confluence Queens’ supporters club, Bako commended the club’s management, led by Sabo Okala, the technical team, and the players for their achievement in reaching the Super Six stage. He emphasized that this qualification was a significant milestone for the team, especially considering their…