SPORTS
A crew of DStv sports journalists traveling to cover the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, were attacked and kidnapped.
The Anambra State Police Command confirmed that six of the crew members have been rescued.
According to a statement from the Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the media crew was abducted along the Isseke-Orlu Road in Ihiala Local Government Area while they were traveling from Lagos to Uyo.
Joint security forces launched a rescue operation following the incident, which led to the safe recovery of six kidnapped journalists.
“Joint security forces have successfully rescued six members of the media crew who were abducted while traveling from Lagos to Uyo along Isseke-Orlu Road in Ihiala,” Ikenga said as quoted by Sahara Reporters.
The police spokesperson added, “Meanwhile, operations are still ongoing for the possible rescue of the seventh crew member. Further development shall be communicated.”
Meanwhile, a prominent journalist and former staff of the broadcast station, Colin Udoh confirmed that one of the crew members is dead.
He tweeted, “A journalist, one of my former SuperSport colleagues, was killed yesterday when members of the production crew for Friday’s game against Libya were kidnapped on their way to Uyo. Some of the crew have been freed, while at least 2 others are still unaccounted for.”
Fulham star, Alex Iwobi has named his four best ever Super Eagles players of all-time.
Iwobi spoke ahead of Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifier with Libya on Friday in Uyo.
In a recent interview with PoojaDissects, Iwobi was asked to name his four best ever Super Eagles players.
The former Arsenal player simply said: “[Austin] Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Joseph Yobo and Victor Osimhen.”
Okocha, Kanu and Yobo have all retired from football.
Osimhen, meanwhile, is currently playing for Galatasaray on loan from Napoli.
[DailyPost]
As the race for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco heats up, Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen has set a clear goal: to secure six points from this month’s double-header against Libya’s Mediterranean Knights in Group D.
Nigeria will host the first game at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday evening. The return leg will take place at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, 19 kilometers from Benghazi, Libya, on Tuesday night.
“We have to be practical about it. Our best and surest route to the finals is to pick up six points from the matches with Libya and be somewhat guaranteed a place in Morocco even before Matchday 5. We don’t want to be in any anxiety in the run-in for this qualifying campaign,” Eguavoen explained.
Despite the absence of star striker Victor Osimhen, Eguavoen remains confident in his team’s ability. “I believe in the other strikers available to get us the goals that will give us the three points in Uyo and the three points in Libya.”
Currently, Nigeria leads the group with four points from two matches, one point ahead of Benin Republic and two ahead of Rwanda. A double win over Libya would push Nigeria to 10 points, putting them in a strong position to qualify for AFCON 2025.
The Super Eagles squad has been gathering in Uyo. 20 of the 23 invited players are already in training, while defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidera Ejuke joined on Wednesday morning.
Eguavoen emphasized the importance of securing the ticket to AFCON before the final round of games. “There are possibilities and opportunities for us to sail through at the end of these two matches, and we will do our best to take our chances.”
Libya’s team arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday, landing at Port Harcourt International Airport before making their way to Uyo.
William Troost-Ekong has confirmed that Ahmed Musa is still the captain of the Super Eagles even though the veteran winger is not currently in the squad.
Ahmed Musa who has not been called up by Nigeria since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, is currently playing for Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club, Kano Pillars.
In a recent league game against Sunshine Stars, the 31-year-old forward scored two goals as he helped his team secure a 2-0 victory.
Musa has also made it clear that he has not retired from international football.
Ahead of Super Eagles’ 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Libya, Troost-Ekong said at a media parley in Ikot Ekpene that Musa remains the leader of the national team.
“We’re happy he’s back,” Troost-Ekong said at today’s media parley in Ikot Ekpene.
“He’s still our captain and he’s welcome back any time.
“He’s our most capped player, a good role model, he’s a good leader.
“I am happy to deputise for him.”
On the other hand, with Victor Osimhen unavailable for selection in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations doubleheaders due to injury, Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface has expressed his readiness to step in for Osimhen against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.
Boniface is expected to fill the void left by the injured Galatasaray forward in the starting lineup against the North Africans.
Despite the pressure that comes with replacing a key player like Osimhen, the 23-year-old striker emphasized that he does not feel burdened by the team’s goal-scoring responsibility.
“I don’t feel any pressure. It’s not just me; we have other strikers, Kelechi, Awoniyi and myself. If I play, if any of us play, we will try to get the win,” Boniface told Football Fans Tribe.
“For me, the most important thing is the team’s performance. If we are winning and I’m not scoring, then I don’t have any problem. Whatever people want to say, they should say it, but as long as we are getting the win, then it’s fine by me.”
Nigerian superstar singer, Wizkid has performed at 23rd birthday party of Arsenal winger, Bukayo Saka.
Recall that Saka celebrated his birthday on September 5 on Saturday after Arsenal's 3-1 win over Southampton in the Premier League.
It was gathered that the England international rented out a Mayfair restaurant, had some of the world’s biggest rappers perform.
Saka danced with girlfriend Tolami Benson who wore an all-white off the shoulder dress, whilst a saxophonist played for the group.
British rapper Dave, 26, a long-standing friend of Saka’s, performed an exclusive set featuring one of his most well songs, Location.
Singer Wizkid, 34, was also in attendance to perform and celebrate the special evening with the Arsenal and England winger.
Manchester City Football Club has won its legal battle with the Premier League over the Associated Party Transaction rules.
Reacting in a statement on Monday following the favourable ruling, Manchester City expressed gratitude to the members of the Arbitral Tribunal for their work and considerations and welcomed the findings.
“The club has succeeded with its claim: the Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules have been found to be unlawful, and the Premier League’s decisions on two specific MCFC sponsorship transactions have been set aside.
“The tribunal found that both the original APT rules and the current (amended) APT rules violate UK competition law and the requirements of procedural fairness,” the statement said.
The tribunal criticised the Premier League for its application of the APT rules, stating that the rules were structurally unfair and that the league was specifically unjust in how it applied those rules to the club in practice.
This resulted in specific decisions by the Premier League regarding Manchester City’s sponsorship transactions being set aside.
The tribunal also found that the rules were discriminatory in how they operated because they deliberately excluded shareholder loans.
The statement added, “As well as these general findings on legality, the tribunal has set aside specific decisions of the Premier League to restate the fair market value of two transactions entered into by the club.
“The tribunal held that the Premier League had reached its decisions in a procedurally unfair manner.
“The tribunal also ruled that there was an unreasonable delay in the Premier League’s fair market value assessment of two of the club’s sponsorship transactions, and so the Premier League breached its own rules.”
Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen took to Instagram on Sunday, October 6, 2024, to celebrate his daughter, Hailey, as she turns 2.
Osimhen expressed gratitude to God for blessing his child with another year and showered her with wishes for grace, kindness, and infinite mercy.
The 25-year-old Napoli striker wrote: “Thank you GOD for giving my child another year in this new era. I hope that this year will be marked by many instances of your goodness in our lives, continue to shower her with your grace, kindness and infinite mercy. Keep her on the right track and away from harmful forces AMEN! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE.”
Victor Osimhen accompanied the birthday message with adorable photos and a video of him and Hailey at Galatasaray’s stadium.
Hailey True, the daughter of Victor Osimhen and his girlfriend Stefanie Kim Ladewig, holds multiple citizenships, blending her Nigerian heritage with Italian and German roots.
Victor has spoken about the importance of ensuring that Hailey embraces her Nigerian heritage while reminiscing about his own childhood experiences.
Chelsea Football Club coach, Enzo Maresca, has named Moses Caicedo the team’s captain.
According to a statement from Fabrizio Romano’s X account on Sunday, the midfielder praised Chelsea’s coach for appointing him captain.
“I’m grateful to Maresca for making me Chelsea’s captain.
“I want to become a legend here, and that’s what I’m working hard to achieve every day.
“It means a lot to captain Chelsea. It’s a dream come true
because I grew up supporting Chelsea,” he said.
Chelsea is set to battle Nottingham Forest on Sunday in the 2024/2025 season.
It should be recalled that Moises Caicedo signed an eight-year deal with Chelsea in a £100m transfer from Brighton, with an additional £15m in performance-related add-ons, after turning down a £111m move to Liverpool.
[Punch]
Victor Osimhen has carted home his first Turkish Super Lig award soon after joining Galatasaray on a season-long loan from Napoli.
The Nigeria international’s impressive goal against Kasımpaşa has been voted the Goal of the Week by beIN SPORTS, receiving a significant number of votes and securing 77.96% of the total.
Osimhen scored his first goal and followed it up with his first brace, but it was not enough to secure all three points for the Turkish champions, who gave up a three-goal lead to allow the visitors a share of the spoils.
The 25-year-old showcased his skill and decisiveness to volley home with his left foot after receiving a pass from former Napoli teammate Dries Marten to put his team 2-0 up.
Despite missing pre-season due to transfer complications, Osimhen has quickly become a key player for Galatasaray, having been involved in scoring or assisting in all four of his appearances for the club.
He took his season tally to two goals and four assists in four games for the Lions since joining on loan from Napoli.
However, Osimhen is currently sidelined with an injury after a knock he picked up during the league game. He missed the Europa League clash against RFS in Latvia on Wednesday, but his injury is not severe, and he is expected to return soon.
He could be back in action on the weekend when Galatasaray take on Alanyaspor in the Super Lig.
Meanwhile, the former Lille player has revealed the key role Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk played in convincing him to join the club.
“Okan Buruk is the key to my transfer,” Osimhen told A Spor. “I was incredibly impressed when I spoke to him.”
The initial loan deal sees Osimhen at Galatasaray for four months. However, his impressive start has led to speculation of a potential extension.
Despite Osimhen’s loan move, reports suggest Chelsea remains interested in acquiring him.
The Blues are reportedly prepared to offer €90 million for the Nigerian striker in the January transfer window.
[Punch]
Arsenal defeated Southampton 3-1 in a Premier League clash on Saturday, extending their unbeaten run this season.
Fresh from a commanding win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Arsenal were expected to easily dispatch winless Southampton.
However, the Saints shocked the Emirates 10 minutes into the second half when Cameron Archer netted his first Premier League goal since his summer move from Aston Villa.
The lead only lasted three minutes before Kai Havertz scored in his seventh consecutive home game.
Gabriel Martinelli was introduced after an hour and made an impact within eight minutes, volleying home from Bukayo Saka’s cross.
After assisting Arsenal’s first two goals, Saka pounced on a loose ball to score the third himself.
Meanwhile, Rodri’s season-long absence due to a serious
knee injury is expected to be a major blow to Manchester City’s hopes of retaining the title for a fifth consecutive season.
However, it was his deputy, Mateo Kovacic, who scored twice to turn the game around for the champions at the Etihad, which ended 3-2.
Fulham, unbeaten since the opening night of the season at Manchester United, took the lead thanks to Andreas Pereira’s finish from a stunning backheel assist by Raul Jimenez.
Kovacic’s deflected effort quickly brought City level, and a cleaner strike less than two minutes into the second half made it 2-1.
Jeremy Doku then smashed a shot into the top corner from outside the box to give City a two-goal cushion, which they required.
Rodrigo Muniz gave Fulham hope on 88 minutes, but City held out for a 17th consecutive win against the Cottagers.
West Ham eased the pressure on new boss Julen Lopetegui by ending a run of three home defeats at the start of the new season.
Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen, and Lucas Paqueta were on target for the Hammers in a 4-1 win over Ipswich, who are still awaiting their first Premier League victory in 22 years.
There were six goals before half-time as Brentford defeated Wolves 5-3, leaving the visitors rooted to the foot of the table.
Leicester secured their first league win of the season with Facundo Buonanotte’s strike sealing a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth.
AFP
More...
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has experienced a 25% drop in market value, now standing at €75 million following his loan transfer from Napoli to Turkish giants Galatasaray. This decline, down from his previous valuation of €100 million, has not deterred interest from top European clubs, with Chelsea remaining closely linked.
According to Transfermarkt’s recent update, the value of the Nigerian international has decreased. Nevertheless, Osimhen insists that he is worth more than the current figure. Despite the drop, interest in Osimhen remains high, with clubs like Chelsea continuing to monitor his situation.
The 25-year-old striker’s move to Galatasaray, which made him the most valuable player in Turkish Süper Lig history, came after his failed transfer to Chelsea and rejection of a move to Saudi Arabia. Napoli had initially set a €130 million price tag, which proved too high for potential suitors, allowing Galatasaray to capitalize on the opportunity.
Gökhan Yagmur, Türkiye Area Manager for Transfermarkt, explained that Osimhen’s market value decrease was influenced by his transfer situation and the status of the Süper Lig. “Osimhen is an exception in Turkish football,” Yagmur said. “Napoli expected €130 million, but when top clubs couldn’t meet those demands, Galatasaray seized the moment.”
Osimhen’s impressive performances at Galatasaray, including two goals and two assists in five matches, have continued to attract attention from across Europe. Despite the valuation drop, Osimhen remains confident, stating, “I am worth more than €100 million. There are few players like me in the world who have achieved this style and success.”
[Businessday]
Dr. Muhammed Sanusi is the Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. He has been in the news these past few days. The gentleman is my friend. I like him a lot. As far as I can see from my observatory in the rolling hills of Wasimi, he has maintained great decorum in the handling of the affairs of football in the country.
I have not interacted with him close enough at any time since I first met him many years ago to know him beyond his courteousness, politeness, soft-spokenness, and never-in-your-face attitude. He carries good credentials in his long and varied experiences working in the NFF as well as in academic scholarship (with a Doctorate degree to boot).
As far as his handling of the affairs of the NFF is concerned, I have not had any close interactions with the organisation since he became the Secretary General over 10 years ago, so, I know little and cannot be a fair judge about his capacity and performance as administrator of the secretariat of the most important sports federation in Nigeria.
In those past 10 years, I have not had any serious dealings with the Nigeria Football administration outside journalistic enquiries about some issues for which Dr. Sanusi was always quick to provide the needed information, or direction to the source of better information. He would do these things courteously.
What I do not know is whether that attitude and treatment are general or a special treat reserved for me. Either way, I thank him.
From time to time, however, Dr. Sanusi comments on some of my postings on my social media platforms, often with a kind word here and there. Even when I wrote what some persons considered negative about him by raising issues about his humongous salary, he did not take it personal, and did not miss a beat in our friendly relationship.
So, I know Dr. Sanusi Muhammed enough even if I have not had much direct dealings with him in the over 10 years of his being the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. So, I respect our remote friendship.
At the moment, his matter is heating up the system. Some stakeholders in the General Assembly of the NFF are planning to use their numbers and resources to offer him a new contract when the present one expires at the end of the year. Undoubtedly, the move is not popular. It may create a ripple effect that could become a storm in the immediate future.
Ordinarily, renewing Sanusi’s contract should be routine. There should be no issues about reappointing a competent and performing Secretary-General. Unfortunately, there are issues that negate this intention. The public and some media are raising very serious issues about why Sanusi’s contract should not be renewed. He has been in that office for 11 years, longer than anyone else in history. That’s not the problem. His latest contract will end in December this year.
I will not pretend that I am familiar with all the issues, but there is one issue that attracts my attention and the need for this humble comment.
Let me establish this background.
I am not a tribalist. I do not have a single drop of tribalism in my blood.
I am of Yoruba extraction by birth. I spent the first 17 years of my life in Jos, in Northern Nigeria. I speak the Hausa language, even better than my Yoruba.
In the formative years of my life, I attended primary and secondary schools owned by the Catholic Church, and populated mostly by Igbos in the years before the political crisis of 1966 that led to the bloody Civil war of 1967. So, I speak the Igbo language and some of my best friends are from that ethnic group.
I have spent the decades since December 1970 to date in Yorubaland, going through useful lessons in understanding my own ethnic roots. My mother was originally a Muslim and my father was one of the founders of the African Church in Jos. I am a product of this mixture of cultures, indoctrinations, exposures and experiences, finally emerging as a totally detribalised Nigerian that does not see things through the prism of ethnicity.
So, back to the ongoing conversation on Dr. Muhammed Sanusi. Ethnicity has reared its dangerous head.
A journalist called me the other day and wanted my views on the issue of the renewal of Sanusi’s contract from the position of ethnic balancing and federal character in the board of the NFF. He asked: Why would the two most powerful officials in the Nigeria Football Federation board come from the same geographical, political and ethnic group? Really?
How did that happen? Avoiding such a situation has voided the ambition of many aspirants to offices in the NFF in the past. Including me. There is always consideration for careful balancing and federal character consideration for appointments into national offices. It is so important in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like Nigeria that provision is inscribed into the country’s constitution.
In sports, although unwritten into the constitution of federations, it goes without saying that stakeholders would navigate through this minefield by deploying common sense, always observing the simple code of ethnic balancing during elections and in the employment of key staff.
Occasionally there is a blip, but always created by circumstances that cannot be helped, and not as a deliberate strategy to impose any group on the rest. One such situation is Ibrahim Gusau succeeding Amaju Pinnick as President of the NFF when Sanusi was still Secretary General, inadvertently creating the present situation where the two most powerful men in Nigerian football come from the same geographical zone of the country.
The reality is that when Sanusi was first engaged over 10 years ago, Amaju Pinnick, from the Southern part of the country, was President.
Presently, some stakeholders are stoking the ambers of crisis. They are attempting to be clever-by-half by distorting what has ensured the equilibrium of things and instilled some level of equity and fair representation at the top of Nigerian football through the decades.
I am not surprised, therefore, that an army of opposition has emerged to try to halt the clandestine plot. Sanusi is to be used as a pawn and returned as Secretary General against the grain of best established practise, common sense, equity and ethnic balancing in the administration of football in Nigeria.
No matter how attractive the offer may be, or what power the stakeholders planning this plot may have at the moment, my advice is that they should shelve the plan for the good of the game and of peace, and follow the path of reason. Should they choose to pursue this narrow agenda, they may be planting the seeds of a future crisis.
In an ideal society it should matter the least where a person comes from in the matter of employment, but not so in Nigeria as history and previous experiences have taught us through the country’s history. A word is enough for the wise.
I wish the General Assembly of the NFF useful deliberations.
French tactician, Hervé Renard, has revealed that he came close to becoming the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
Renard, who has enjoyed stints at Ivory Coast and Zambia, disclosed that he was approached by the Nigeria Football Federation following the unexpected exit of Finidi George in May.
His name was heavily touted as a replacement before talks with German Bruno Labbadia fell through, leaving the Super Eagles in limbo.
Renard shared that the NFF’s offer was the most lucrative he had received, but after much deliberation, he decided to decline.
“I almost went to Nigeria. I weighed the pros and cons for a few days, even weeks, before eventually turning it down. It was the best offer I’ve had so far, but it didn’t suit me in the end,” Renard told French outlet L’Équipe, as reported by Brila FM.
Meanwhile, interim coach Augustine Eguavoen, who has been tasked with leading the team through the upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Libya, has hinted at the conditions that could see him take on the job full-time.
Eguavoen outlined that any consideration for a permanent role would require a long-term contract, along with patience and consistent backing from the football body.
“The Super Eagles job isn’t one you take lightly. If I were to take it permanently, I’d need to sit down, reflect, and think deeply because it’s not a small task.
“It’s going to be tough. I’d need a long-term contract, patience, and clauses in the deal because you don’t win every day. It takes time to build a team,” Eguavoen told Brila FM.
Eguavoen, who has had three previous stints as head coach, lamented that he was never given enough time to truly implement his vision for the team.
“In 2006, I was in charge for six months. Every other time, it was just two months or two to three games. Clemens Westerhof had five years. Gernot Rohr had six years. They got time, but I never had two straight years,” he noted.
He reiterated that to succeed as the substantive coach, he would need long-term assurances, contractual clauses, and a show of confidence from the NFF.
Ex-Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, has stated plans to make a return to coaching after being sacked by Chelsea Football Club in 2021.
In a chat with The Sports Agents podcast on Thursday, Lampard also admitted he is keen on managing the England national team.
According to reports, Lampard is one of the coaches being linked to the role after Gareth Southgate stepped down after Euro 2024.
He said: “As an English player who played 100-plus times, and an English person who’s very proud – of course, the England set-up is something that I never dreamed of.
“I played many times for England. So, now as a coach, you know, I think I would be crazy to sort of say, ‘Oh no, that would never interest me.”
The England national team also known as the ‘The Three Lions’ is currently being managed by Lee Carsley as an interim Manager who was appointed in August 2024 for the UEFA Nations League 2024 campaign.
[Punch]