The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • FIFA World Cup 26: Finidi coy on  tactics for Bafana Bafana

    FIFA World Cup 26: Finidi coy on  tactics for Bafana Bafana

    Certifies Chukwueze, Awaziem fitness

    Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George has stated that his team would use a different game pattern than what was used against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’ Ivoire when both teams clash tonight in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Uyo.

    The Eagles are third with two points behind Rwanda and South Africa and only a win would help resuscitate the team’s World Cup ambition.

    George who will be playing his first competitive game as Eagles boss, said the South African proved to be a worthy opponent at AFCON before they lost to Nigeria on penalties and the former Enyimba coach opined that the team would do the needful to get a win.

    “AFCON is gone now. We knew how the game went. It was difficult but we won it which is very important. This is a World Cup Qualifier and we are going to play differently from the way we played in AFCON,” Finidi said  at his press conference in Uyo. “This will be a different ball game. I am quite confident in our ability and what we are able to do tomorrow (today). We want to win and to qualify for the next World Cup and we will strive to get that win.

    Read Also: NPFL: New Super Eagles stars to miss crucial title chase

    “We have trained so well and the players are fully prepared for the game. They know the task ahead and they are just waiting for the start of the game.

    “We do not have doubt about the capacity of the players. They know it is a must win game and we will approach it that way.

    He confirmed  the readiness of  Samuel Chukwueze and  Chigozie Awaziem r who   had a knock and stomach issues in respectively, adding  both players have  recovered and are in good shape for the game.

    “All the players are ready.   Samuel Chukwueze had a knock in training on Wednesday but he has been able to train without pains. Chidozie Awaziem had a little stomach upset but he is fine now,” Finidi added.

    The Eagles head coach further stated that he would continue to watch the NPFL so as to unearth more quality players for the senior national team.

    “We invited three players and I feel that is enough for now. The criterion is we keep watching the league and fish out those that are good enough to join the team. It is a gradual process and we want to encourage the players in the domestic league knowing that their time will come too.

    “We will bring in players that are capable of playing for the senior national team that will add value to the team.”

  • Leicester’s Ndidi, Iheanacho hold no fear for South Africa  

    Leicester’s Ndidi, Iheanacho hold no fear for South Africa  

    Leicester City midfielder  Wilfred Ndidi has revealed that he is not perturbed whether he gets the nod to play the game today against South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier or not as the Super Eagles team comes first in all that he does.

    Ndidi was forced  out of the 2023 AFCON  due to injury and his absence saw the inclusion of Alhassan Yusuf and Raphael Onyedika who excelled in the defensive midfield position.

    In his reaction, Ndidi pointed out that he was not in competition with any player in the Super Eagles team and that he will abide by the coach’s decision regarding whoever that is picked.

    “For me the team comes first. I am not in competition with any player. The most important thing is what the team doing. The national team is like a barrack where soldiers go and come. Any player that is given an opportunity to play will always like to give his best. This is not time to talk about  there is pressure or competition for places in the team,” Ndidi disclosed.

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    The stand-in skipper affirmed the Eagles readiness for the make or mar Qualifier with South Africa.

    “Everybody is prepared just like the coach has said. The feeling in camp is amazing. Everyone is around now and the feeling is one directional  because we know what we ought to do. We will approach the game with all zeal and determination.”

    Speaking in the same vein, Ndidi’s teammate at Leicester City has promised that the Super Eagles would be at their best to secure the maximum points against the visiting South Africans.

    “The Super Eagles players know what it means to appear at the World Cup. It is not an easy task but we are ready to give our best to ensure that we qualify this time,” Iheanacho told journalists.

  • FIFA World Cup 26: Rohr’s Benin record shock win over Rwanda

    FIFA World Cup 26: Rohr’s Benin record shock win over Rwanda

    Republic of Benin have climbed to second place in Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which houses the Super Eagles, after they beat Rwanda 1-0 in Abidjan.

    They now have four points from three matches, same as group leaders Rwanda, who only remain top by virtue of a better goals difference.

    The Super Eagles thus dropped to fourth along with Lesotho and Zimbabwe with two points apiece going into tomorrow’s clash against South Africa.

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    The three-time African champions will battle Benin Monday evening in Abidjan in continuation of the World Cup qualifying series.

    The Cheetahs, who are handled by former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, fired the match winner in the 37th   minute through Douko Dodo.

    OTHER MATCH DAY 3 RESULTS

    Senegal 1-1DR Congo

    Benin1-0 Rwanda

    Mali 1-2 Ghana

    Algeria1-2 Guinea

    Libya 2-1 Mauritius

    Egypt 2-2 Burkina Faso

    Guinea Bissau 0-0 Ethiopia

    Mauritania 0-2 Sudan  

    Malawi 3-1 So Tome Principe

  • Finally, Senate passes Anti-Doping Bill

    Finally, Senate passes Anti-Doping Bill

    The Senate has passed a bill seeking to prohibit Nigerian athletes from consuming performance enhancing substances during or after sporting competitions.

    President Bola Tinubu had sent a request to the Senate to enactment the law penultimate week through a letter read on the floor by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary.

    The bill was titled “National Anti-Doping Bill 2024.”

    According to the President, the Bill was meant to domesticate and enforce in Nigeria, the international convention against doping in sports ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in France.

    Read Also: Nigeria Gold Reserves: Senator Natasha’s bill scales second reading

    He said it was also meant to establish the Nigeria anti-doping centre to implement Nigeria’s obligations to the World Anti-Doping Code in conformity with international standards.

    The passage of the bill yesterday followed the consideration and approval of the report of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters during plenary.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Mohammed Monguno presented the report.

    Senators adopted the recommendations of the Committee and approved that the Bill be read for a third time when it was put to voice vote by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary.

  • NFF dismisses South Africa’s  claims over travel hitches

    NFF dismisses South Africa’s  claims over travel hitches

    The Nigeria Football Federation has insisted that the South African delegation has no reason to cry foul after having to stay the night in Port Harcourt on Wednesday after arriving in Nigeria. The team only flew into Uyo on Thursday morning.

    NFF’s Protocol chief, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi said the South African Football Association informed the NFF that its chartered aircraft would depart South Africa on Wednesday morning by 8am and land in Lagos to undergo immigration formalities before proceeding to Uyo.

     “The problem has nothing to do with the NFF. As at the time they said they were taking off, it took them a further five hours to actually depart from South Africa. We were not informed. We had informed officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service and other relevant agencies in Lagos to expedite action on the formalities for them.

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     “It was less than two hours to landing that they contacted us to say that the landing right they got was for Port Harcourt International Airport and not the MMA in Lagos. We had to quickly get in touch with officials of NMS and other agencies in Port Harcourt and mobilize people to ensure smooth formalities for them. Having completed all immigration formalities, they wanted to take off for Uyo but were informed that the Obong Victor Attah Airport only operates from sunrise to sunset, and so that was not possible. The NFF immediately mobilized resources for them to comfortably spend the night in Port Harcourt.”   

  • 10th Nigeria Pitch Awards holds in Uyo

    10th Nigeria Pitch Awards holds in Uyo

    Sanwo-Olu, Elegbeleye, Finidi in spotlight

    There will be real pomp and ceremony  in the city of Uyo tomorrow  as the tenth edition of Nigeria Pitch Awards comes to town. The Ibom Hotel and Golf Resorts is the venue.

    Shina Phillips, chief organizer of the awards, said that all is set for a ceremony that will be full of panache, glitz and glamour. 

    He said:  “As I said a couple of weeks ago, we are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a memorable tenth edition of the awards. All is set, and we are in Uyo not only to put up a super-show, but to mobilize resources within our capacity to support the Super Eagles to victory in tomorrow’s match. As an organization, we will continue to genuinely appreciate the NFF, the Super Eagles, all our friends, enablers, affiliates and commercial partners, for their support over the past 10 years, and to promise that the values of transparency, integrity and credibility will never depart from the Nigeria Pitch Awards.”

    Nominees have been picked in all 18 award categories, with the winners to be unveiled on Saturday. The award categories include Goalkeeper of the Year, Defender of the Year, Midfielder of the Year, Striker of the Year, Queen of the Pitch, King of the Pitch, Sam Okwaraji Award, Football Pitch, Football-Friendly Governor, Corporate Sponsor, alongside several honours for media representatives.

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    Goalkeeper of the Year: Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

    Defender of the Year: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC); Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK)

    Midfielder of the Year: Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC)

    Striker of the Year: Robert Mizo (Bayelsa United); Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)

    Queen of the Pitch: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico de Madrid Femenino); Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC)

    King of the Pitch: Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC); Emeka Obioma (Enyimba FC); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)

    Team of the Year: Super Falcons; Enyimba FC; Remo Stars

    Coach of the Year: Daniel Ogunmodede (Remo Stars); Finidi George (Enyimba FC); Randy Waldrum (Super Falcons)

    Sam Okwaraji Award: Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC); Ahmed Musa; Kunle Soname (Proprietor, Remo Stars)

    State With The Best Grassroots Football Development Programme: Edo State; Delta State; Lagos State

    Football Pitch of the Year: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos; Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne; Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo

    Football-Friendly Governor of the Year: His Excellency Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom State); His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State); His Excellency Godwin Obaseki (Edo State)

    Corporate Sponsor of Football: Bet9ja (Sport Betting); GTI (Financial Services); MTN (Telecom)

    Sportsmanship Award: Hon. Kunle Soname (Proprietor, Remo Stars); Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC); Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye (Chairman, NPFL Board)

    Football Journalist of the Year (Print): Christian Okpara (The Guardian); Charles Diya (New Telegraph); Johnny Edward (Punch Newspapers)

    Football Journalist of the Year (TV): Miyen Akiri (TVC); Mozez Praiz (SuperSport); Cecilia Omorogbe (Channels TV)

    Football Journalist of the Year (Radio): Olawale Adigun (Mainland FM); Yinka Oyedele (Brila 88.9 FM); Anthony Bekederemo (Brila 88.9 FM)

    Football Journalist of the Year (Online): Samuel Ahmadu (Savid News); Tobi Adepoju (Oganla Media); Kunle Solaja (sportsvillagesquare.com)

  • Eagles’ keeper Olorunleke to miss  crucial game at The Cathedral

    Eagles’ keeper Olorunleke to miss  crucial game at The Cathedral

    StarTimes  to beam Rangers, Enyimba clash

    But for the last-minute save by Enyimba Captain and Goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo, Enugu Rangers would have clinched the maximum three points against The People’s Elephant in their first meeting in the 2023/24 NPFL games showing live on Beta Sports channel 244 on StarTimes.

    On  Sunday, Enyimba will travel to The Cathedral Stadium in Enugu to challenge league leaders Enugu Rangers in the reverse fixture. This crucial showdown between 2022/23 league winners Enyimba, who are currently sitting second on the table, and Enugu Rangers could very well determine the fate of the NPFL title race.

    However, Enyimba will be without their star keeper, Olorunleke, who has received a national call-up to the Super Eagles for the World Cup Qualifiers.  Enugu Rangers will also miss their formidable defender, Kenneth Igboke, due to the same national duty.

    Read Also: NPFL: New Super Eagles stars to miss crucial title chase

    The match will air live on Beta Sports channel 244 on StarTimes this Sunday at 5 pm.

    The first leg match was a testament to the intense rivalry between these two powerhouses. In the game’s dying seconds, Enugu Rangers’ Joel Odoh found himself with a golden opportunity to secure a victory. A perfectly timed through pass from the midfield sent Odoh one-on-one with the keeper, but Olorunleke’s lightning-fast reflexes denied him the winning goal. 

    With the absence of Kenneth Igboke, Enugu Rangers Coach will have to rack his brain on how to keep goal-scoring monster, Chijioke Mbaoma at bay. Mbaoma currently leads the Golden Boot chart with fifteen goals.

    The absence of Olorunleke and Igboke will undoubtedly impact the dynamics of the match. Enugu Rangers will be playing on their home turf, which could give them an edge.

    Meanwhile, 3rd-placed Remo Stars will be away at Lobi Stars in their Matchday 35 encounter. The match will air live on StarTimes’ Beta Sports channel 244 at 3 pm on Sunday. With their title aspirations still alive, Remo Stars head coach Daniel ‘Ijaball’ Ogunmodede has urged his players to maintain focus and determination as they enter this crucial match. Remo Stars are level on 59 points with Enyimba and just two points behind Enugu Rangers.

  • Euro 2024: Eze listed for England as Southgate axe Grealish, Maguire

    Euro 2024: Eze listed for England as Southgate axe Grealish, Maguire

    Crystal Palace pair Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton have been named in England’s squad for Euro 2024, with Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire and James Maddison among those left out.

    Winger Eze, 25, has only gained three caps for the Three Lions but impressed in Monday’s 3-0 friendly win over Bosnia-Herzegovina at St James’ Park.

    Midfielder Wharton, 20, came on as a substitute in that match for his first international appearance.

    Earlier on Thursday, it was revealed Manchester City forward Grealish, Manchester United centre-back Maguire and Tottenham playmaker Maddison had been left out of Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad.

    Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones also miss out after being named in the original 33-player shortlist.

    It means Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw, who has not played any football since mid-February because of a hamstring injury, has been included.

    England play Iceland in a friendly today  at Wembley – their last match before the tournament in Germany begins on Friday, 14 June.

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    However, 21-year-old Quansah will remain with the squad for the game against Iceland in case of any further injury problems in defence.

    “Luke has progressed really well in the last couple of days and we think he could have some involvement in the second group game,” said Southgate. “You can take one gamble and that’s a calculated gamble where we have enough evidence we believe it can pay off.”

    Speaking at a news conference, Southgate said picking the squad was “one of the most difficult parts of the job” and added: “We’re a close team and for everybody – the players, the staff – over the last couple of days these decisions were looming, but we felt we were able to make better decisions by giving us more time.”

    “That meant people were waiting for bad news and we tried to do that as respectfully and with as much on the human side as possible. For the players not coming with us, it’s a devastating blow and a difficult day for them and for their team-mates.”

    Maguire had been a key figure for England in their performances in the past three major tournaments where Southgate’s side reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, the final of Euro 2020 and the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

  • No return date as Djokovic undergoes knee operation

    No return date as Djokovic undergoes knee operation

    Novak Djokovic has confirmed he had had an operation on his right knee that he injured at the French Open and that it “went well”.

    The 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic was forced to withdrew ahead of his Roland Garros quarter-final against Casper Ruud after a scan revealed a torn medial meniscus in his right knee.

     “In the past day, I had to make some tough decisions after sustaining a meniscus tear during my last match,” he posted on social media. “I’m still processing it all but I am happy to update you that the surgery went well.

    “I am so appreciative of the team of doctors who have been by my side as well as the overwhelming support I have received from my fans.”

    The 37-year-old made no mention of whether he would be fit to take part at Wimbledon which begins on July 1 but added that he was going to “do my best to be healthy and fit to return to the court as soon as possible”.

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    Djokovic withdrew from the French Open after winning a five-set match against Francisco Cerundolo and went on to blame the “slippery” Roland Garros courts for aggravating the problem.

     “For the last couple weeks I have had, I would say, slight discomfort, I would call it that way, in the right knee, but I haven’t had an injury that would be concerning me at all,” Djokovic said after his record 370th  win at a Grand Slam.

     “I was playing a few tournaments with it, and no issues until today.”

    The Cerundolo victory was Djokovic’s second five-setter in quick succession having come through a gruelling four-hour, 29-minute slog against Lorenzo Musetti in the third round that concluded at 3:07 am Sunday morning, the latest finish in French Open history.

    Ruud, who lost to Djokovic in last year’s final, received a walkover and will now play Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals today.

    Djokovic’s injury-enforced exit from the tournament means that Jannik Sinner will become Italy’s first number one in the sport next week.

    For the first time since 2004, the men’s final in Paris will not feature Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer.

  • Spain to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at ICJ

    Spain to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at ICJ

    Spain announced that it will join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the ongoing Israeli aggression in the besieged Palestinian Gaza Strip.

    During a press conference yesterday, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares clarified that the country had made this decision to restore peace to Gaza and the wider Middle East region.

    “A large-scale war that does not distinguish between civil and military objectives” is taking place and the risk of escalation is increasing,” he said.

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    South Africa submitted the case in late December 2023, accusing Israel of committing acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip in violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention.

    On Jan. 26, the ICJ ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent genocide, and to ensure that its military does not commit genocide.

    It further called on Israel to halt incitement against Palestinians as a group and to take immediate measures to ensure humanitarian aid.