NewsKingNaija.com

 Soccer loving Nigerians had their expectations dashed last night in Morocco as the Super Eagles failed to advance to the intercontinental playoff of the 2026 World Cup. The lackluster Super Eagles after huffing and puffing for 120 minutes- with stroke of fortune from officiating- lost 4-3 to DR Congo in the ensuing penalty shoot out. Nigeria had raced into the lead in the 3rd minute when Frank Onyeka's effort was deflected into the net by a Congolese defender. Afterwards, the Eagles attack went dead. Talismanic Victor Osimhen ran himself ragged chasing lost causes as he never received needed services. He fired blank and was replaced at half time with a suspected injury. Adam Akor that replaced him hardly had any impact as the Congolese seized control of the game since Osimhen was subbed. Nigeria's penalty was beffudling as Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi missed while the Congolese took their chances and advanced. Nigeria misses consecutive world cups for the first ti...

  Rivers United have been drawn in Group A of CAF Champions League for the 2025/26 season. In the draws held on Monday afternoon in Johannesburg, South Africa, the only remaining Nigeria's representative, Rivers United were drawn in Group A alongside defending champions Pyramid FC of Egypt, RS Berkane FC of Morocco and Power Dynamo FC of Zambia. Al Ahly of Egypt, Young Africans of Tanzania, ASFAR of Morocco and JSK of Algeria are in Group B while Group C has Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, Al Hilal SC of Sudan and FC Steloilupopo. Group D has Esperance of Tunisia, Simba FC of Tanzania, Atletico Petroleos of Angola and Stade Malien of Mali. Head coach Finidi George, expressed optimism of the side advancing to the next round of the competition. Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Chris Green, was at the draws. Rivers United will have over a billion naira in prize money for reaching the group stage of the competition, the first time by a Nigerian club in seven years.

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...