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The CEO of Qatar Football Academy, Borno State, has shared his insights on the Senate President's U-18 Unity Cup, a tournament that has become a premier platform for young football talents in Nigeria. In an exclusive interview, the CEO commended the Senate President and the organizers of the tournament for their efforts in promoting youth football in Nigeria. "The tournament has provided a platform for young talents to showcase their skills and get exposed to top-notch football," he said. The CEO expressed confidence in his team's chances in the 2nd edition of the tournament, saying, "We're confident about our chances in the 2nd edition. We've been working on our weaknesses and building on our strengths. We've also been scouting for new talents and integrating them into our team." When asked about the key factors that will determine success in the 2nd edition, the CEO identified teamwork, strategy, and mental toughness as crucial elements. "...

 The recent exploits of Botswana and Morocco in sports is something Nigerian sporting authorities need to ponder about. Botswana has made exploits in world athletics in recent times with some of its products emerging as world champions. We learnt that the country judiciously used its grants from IAAF and the government to develop  infrastructure giving rise to talents. Morocco also has massive investments in football and the results are there for all to see. Who could imagine that Morocco would one day be the FIFA U-20 men's champions? They just did by defeating Argentina in the final. Morocco became the first African country to reach the semi final of the men's FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022. And the women's team reached the AWCON final back to back in 2022 and 2025 though they lost both. At club level, they have dominated in Africa. Back home in Nigeria, seems we're moving backwards. Our teams now struggle to even qualify for major tournaments that the used to win at...

 The Super Falcons are on course for the defence of their Africa Women Cup of Nations title won this year when the next edition kicks off in Morocco next year. The Nigerian ladies at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on Tuesday drew 1-1 against Benin to advance on 3-1 aggregate. The ladies had won the first leg in Lome, Togo on Friday 2-0. Ashley Plumptree powered home a header off Esther Okoronkwo's corner kick in the first half to put the hosts in front before the Benionese ladies equalised through a free kick in the second half The Super Falcons are targeting an 11th title to underline their long-standing dominance of the continent. Behind the heavyweights, Ghana—third at the last tournament—arrive with clear ambition. Zambia and South Africa, now regulars at the highest level, round out a strong group of favourites in which fine margins will matter. But the Women’s AFCON is not only about established powers. The 2026 edition will also showcase new face. Cape Verde and Malawi a...

  Rivers Utd are the first Nigerian club  to play in the CAF Champions League group phase after overcoming Black Bulls of Mozambique 3-2 on aggregate. The Nigerians suffered a 1-0 defeat penultimate Saturday but won 3-1 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday to become the first Nigerian side to reach the group stage since 2016. It was a tough journey for the Port Harcourt based side as they had to navigate the hard road to success having been runners up in the NPFL last season. Unfortunately, the league champions Remo Stars of Ikenne, Ogun State, lost scandalously 7-1 on aggregate to get knocked out once again. Remo Stars fell 5-1 at home at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, penultimate weekend and lost 2-0 against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in the second leg in Soweto on Sunday. The result showed the gulf between Nigeria and South Africa in the running of football as the National team Bafana Bafana recently qualified for the 2026 World Cup at Nigeria'a expe...

  The over 150 billion Naira PH Airport City Project has been launched in Port Harcourt. The project is a partnership between the Rivers State Government through the Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, providing the funding and loans to intending buyers. The project launch took place at the Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt amid funfair with participants from all works of life in attendance. The Managing Director of Masta Services Co. Ltd.  Builder Ugochukwu Ohuabunwa, in his address, lamented the degeneration of Port Harcourt City, hence the need for " a new city within the city." He added that Port Harcourt, with its strategic location, should compete with Lagos and Abuja in terms of development but has since been left behind. His words:" As the name says, the Port Harcourt City Airport City Project is located at five minutes drive from the airport. It provides a work, live and play and a city within a city. It has so...

  Matches did not go Nigeria way this weekend, underlying the need for a complete overhaul of the system. Rivers United fell 1-0 in Maputo against Black Bulls in the CAF Champions League on Saturday. This was followed by a humiliating 5-1 loss at home by Remo Stars to Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in the CAF Champions League first round first leg match at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta. To cap it all, the Flamingos of Nigeria got thrashed 4-1 by Canada in their opening group match in the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in Morocco. While Morocco is leaving the rest of the African continent behind through the hosting of tournaments and providing topnotch facilities, Nigeria battle with infrastructural decay, poor administration, poor funding, government interference, and poor officiating, the league remains comatose. The recent results showed clearly.' While South Africa qualified for the 2026 World Cup ahead of Nigeria with a largely home based side, Nigeria with an array of for...

No one could have thought of Nigeria being dragged into play off when the draws for the 2026 World Cup were made. Nigeria had South Africa, Lesotho, Benin, Zimbabwe and Rwanda as opponents. But as usual, we like to make things difficult for ourselves when qualification was on  a platter. Only South Africa were the real rivals, not even Gernot Rohr's led Benin. But in terms of quality of players, Nigeria stood head above shoulder to the rest, Your guess was as good as mine as the NFF began to bungle it by dilly dallying on position of the head coach. Jose Peseiro  took the Super Eagles to silver in 2024 AFCON, originally slated for 2023. He was retained despite talks about his firing and led  Nigeria to two costly draws against Lesotho at home and Zimbabwe away before he got fired. A win in those two matches could have changed the course of the qualifiers.   Finidi George also led Nigeria to one draw and a loss to South Africa and Benin, which could later prove f...

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are in action for the final group phase of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with the hope of automatic qualification. The Super Eagles are now back in contention after almost bungling their chance since the beginning of the qualifiers.  Nigeria drew its first three matches and lost the fourth in what could be described as the worst start int he history of world cup qualifiers. A home draw against minnows- yes minnows- Lesotho kicked off the drab qualifiers and an away draw against Zimbabwe. Then draw against South Africa at home and loss to Benin. A paltry three points from four matches. Hopes seems lost. But as the Super Eagles take on Benin in Uyo on Tuesday, there is hope that a win might prove decisive for Nigeria. CAF wrote to its federating units on March, the letter just emerged recently that since Eritrea withdrew, their results in that group is cancelled. It thus affects the other groups who are expected to produce the best loser in Africa to join ...

  The Super Eagles of Nigeria last night narrowly edged the Crocodiles of Lesotho 2-1 to boost their chances of qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but it might be an effort coming too late. The Super Eagles were characteristically  lacklustre for the first half of the game as they failed to break down the well honed defensive approach of the home side, using the Moses Madhiba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa. It was captain Williams Troost Ekong who broke the deadlock in the 55th minute after the referee blew for a handball in the Lesotho penalty area. Adams Akor, substituted on few minutes earlier, eased the pressure on the visitors with the second in the 81st minute but the two goal lead lasted just few seconds as Lesotho got one back as goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali failed to deal with a corner kick. He almost cost the team the three points with another hash of a cross  at the death but the Lesotho player  shot wide with a yawning empty net. Happy to get the poi...

All is now set for the second edition of the 10th Senate President U-18 Football Championship with men and women's teams in Abuja, Nigeria's federal capital. The Coordinator of GRASOF, Hon John Ekpeyong, disclosed to newsmen in an interview that the competition would kick off on 9 November at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja. He noted that the competition is to allow footballers at the grassroots from all over Nigeria to showcase their talents. According to the programme of activities, teams are expected to arrive in Abuja on 7 November and accreditation of players and officials to he held on 8 November. The opening ceremony and matches to commence on 8 November until 16 November with the grand finale. Expected at the ceremonies are the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, other dignitaries  in sports and top government officials. Prizes and other gift items have been lined up for teams and individual players. Ekpeyong also called for interested sponsors to reach out to him and oth...

A two-day training focussing on conflict sensitive reporting and Digital  Peace Building has ended in Port Harcourt with a call on journalists to sustenance of peace ahead of the 2027 General Election. The training drew participants from the traditional media, print and electronic from Port Harcourt, who are mostly members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, attended. in his lecture, The  Mass Media  and Information Coordinator of Search for Common Ground, Mr Sunny Dada, expressed the need for the participants on the use of digital media, on the topic Digital Peace Building and Media Literacy. Mr Dada harped on the need for journalists to be up the date on the use of digital platforms in carrying out their job. He also urged everyone to be part of the peace process in Rivers State as the country moves to another General Election. He further noted that journalists are not just onlookers, but key actors in the electoral process. He added that journalists are transformative...

Arsenal climbed to the top of the English Premier League over the weekend following a 2-0 win over West Ham United in Day 7 of the season. Former West Ham midfielder, Declan Rice opened scoring for the Gunner as the visitors, who had proved to be hoodoo for Arsenal in recent seasons, before Bukayo Saka ensured the three points late in the second half from the penalty spot. Jurien Timbre had been upended in the box for the foul. The London side with 16 points overtook Liverpool who had topped from Day 1 of the EPL. Liverpool surprisingly lost 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge late on Saturday as their fragile defence all season - a carry over from last season- was exposed. Estavao scored the late winner to hand them their second defeat of the season. Crystal Palace had also scored a late goal penultimate weekend to end Liverpool's unbeaten run. Crystal Palace were the only unbeaten side coming the the weekend's fixtures. But that also ended as Everton came from a goal down to wi...

  The Flying Eagles of Nigeria will take on Argentina in the round of 16 of the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile. The Nigerian lads finished third in Group  to earn a place as one of the best losers after a pulsating 1-1 draw against Colombia early Monday morning. Captain, Daniel Bameyi scored from the penalty spot for his consecutive penalty goal to rescue a point against Colombia, who had scored earlier. Seven-time African champions Nigeria put up an impressive performance against Colombia in the early hours of Monday to reach the Round of 16 of the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile.   Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt made big saves in the 23 rd  and 26 th  minutes to keep the scoreline pristine in Talca, but the Flying Eagles were the more adventurous side as they hit the upright on a number of occasions, with Tahir Maigana, Kparobo Arierhi and Suleman Sani in full flow for large swatches of the encounter.   Colombia went ahead in the 51 st ...