The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • FIFA Rankings: Super Eagles jump to  38 despite  Play-offs  setback

    FIFA Rankings: Super Eagles jump to  38 despite  Play-offs  setback

    The Super Eagles have climbed three places to 38th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, despite their penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the African World Cup Qualifying Play-off Final.

    The updated rankings, released by FIFA yesterday, reflect the outcome of 149 matches — including 79 friendlies — played during the most recent international window that sealed several 2026 World Cup qualifying spots.

    Nigeria, previously ranked 41st, benefitted significantly from their emphatic 4–1 victory over Gabon in the play-off tournament in Morocco, a win that boosted their points tally enough to move them up the global ladder.

    Read Also: W’Cup 2026: NFF begs Tinubu, Nigerians over  Super Eagles’ setback

    The Super Eagles also maintained their status among Africa’s top five teams, positioned behind:

    Morocco (11), Senegal (19), Egypt (34) and Algeria (35). Ivory Coast dropped to seventh in Africa, while Tunisia climbed ahead of them.

    Globally, the top four — Spain, Argentina, France, and England — held firm.

    Brazil climbed two places to fifth, leapfrogging Portugal (now sixth) and the Netherlands (seventh). Belgium stayed eighth, while Germany and Croatia completed the top 10.

  • Osimhen  begins treatment for ‘strain and bleeding’  at Gala

    Osimhen  begins treatment for ‘strain and bleeding’  at Gala

    Turkish giants  Galatasaray  said Super Eagles forward  Victor Osimhen  will undergo treatment for muscular ’strain and bleeding’  following a MRI examination at the club’s Acıbadem International Hospital in Istanbul.

    Th club in a statement on its website after the MRI Scan yesterday,  confirmed  that their high profile striker sustained a muscle injury in the Super Eagles’ 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo on Sunday.

    The statement read: “In the MRI examination performed today at our sponsor hospital Acıbadem, our football player Victor Osimhen, a moderate level of strain (strain and bleeding) was detected in his left posterior muscle and treatment has been started.”

    Read Also: NFF to revamp youth football structure , says Gusau

    According  to medics,  ‘a  strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon (the tissue that connects muscles to bones), and it often involves damage to small blood vessels which results in local bleeding or bruising. This is a common soft tissue injury, often caused by overuse or overstretching.’

    Incidentally, Osimhen  has  earlier said the injury wasn’t  something to worry about on arrival  in Turkey on Tuesday  as per A Spor , saying:  “My condition is not serious.”

    Osimhen has been a key player for the club this season, scoring nine goals in all competitions this season, including six goals in the Champions League.

  • W’Cup 2026: Troost-Ekong mulls  international retirement 

    W’Cup 2026: Troost-Ekong mulls  international retirement 

    By Joshua Osinowo

    ‎Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong is said to be weighing the possibility of retiring from international duty following Nigeria’s disappointing failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    ‎ The speculation comes after the team’s recent defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a result that has intensified criticism of the squad’s overall performance.

    ‎Respected journalist Mike Osarieme( MikeThePundit ) revealed that the veteran defender may step away from the national team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to take place in Morocco this December.

    ‎ In a post on X, Mike explained that the 32-year-old confided in his teammates during an emotional discussion in the dressing room after the loss to DR Congo, expressing uncertainty about his future with the Super Eagles.‎

    Read Also: Play-Offs:  NFF tips Super Eagles to subdue Panthers  after pay dispute

    ‎According to MikeThePundit, Troost-Ekong told his teammates: “I will watch you as a fan at the AFCON.”

    This  signals  a possible decision to withdraw from international football. His remarks highlight both his frustration and a potential shift in his dedication to the national team after a series of underwhelming results.

    ‎Although he remains the team’s captain, Troost-Ekong’s role has diminished in recent months, as he has been left out of the starting team in  the last three matches involving the Super Eagles .

    His reduced playing time may be contributing to his contemplation of retirement.

    ‎Currently on the books of Al-Kholood in Saudi Arabia, the defender now faces an uncertain future with the Super Eagles as he evaluates his next steps.

  • Sanwo-Olu, Abiru,others  salute Oshodi’s re-election as ITTF Vice President

    Sanwo-Olu, Abiru,others  salute Oshodi’s re-election as ITTF Vice President

    The re-election of Wahid Enitan Oshodi as Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has drawn widespread commendation from prominent leaders, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Senator Tokunbo Abiru and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports, Anthony Adeboye.

    Oshodi was re-elected during the continuation of the ITTF Annual General Meeting (AGM) held online on Saturday, November 15.

    His return to the Executive Board was celebrated as a recognition of his exceptional leadership, deep knowledge of global sports administration, and unwavering commitment to advancing table tennis in Nigeria, Africa, and worldwide.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu in a congratulatory statement issued by  his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile,  described Oshodi’s re-election as a testament to his leadership qualities and hard work during his first term.

    Read Also: NFF, Nigeria Police commit to greater safety and security measures in Abuja

    Governor Sanwo-Olu said: “On behalf of my family, the government, and the people of Lagos State, I rejoice with a worthy citizen of our dear State, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, on his re-election as Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). Oshodi has distinguished himself at the state, national, continental, and international levels. His contributions to sports development, particularly table tennis, have been immense, and we are proud of his achievements. We believe he will continue to lift the fortunes of table tennis in Nigeria and Africa, raising the bar to compete globally.”

    =Senator Tokunbo Abiru, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, also praised Oshodi’s achievement: “On behalf of the people of Lagos East Senatorial District, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to my dear brother and friend, Barrister Wahid Enitan Oshodi, on his well-deserved re-election. This remarkable victory exemplifies his distinguished leadership, competence, and unwavering commitment to the growth of table tennis worldwide.”

    Anthony Adeboye, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports, highlighted Oshodi’s consistency and integrity: “Your influence continues to uplift the standard of table tennis in Nigeria and inspire the next generation of African sports leaders.”

    “ You have always been a shining example of excellence, and this new mandate further positions you to elevate our continent to even greater heights in the world of sports.”

    Oshodi, who also serves as President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), will continue his role on the ITTF Executive Board for another four-year term (2025–2029), is working alongside ITTF President Petra Sörling to advance the sport globally.

  • Remo Stars end poor run  with win over  Kano Pillars

    Remo Stars end poor run  with win over  Kano Pillars

    Remo Stars returned to winning ways on Wednesday with a hard-earned 1–0 victory over Kano Pillars at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta.

    Under pressure after their home defeat to Enugu Rangers, the NPFL champions responded with purpose.

    Their breakthrough came in the 34th minute when Victor Mbaoma rose highest to nod home a decisive header.

    Read Also: GTI seeks investors’ partnership after successful NFF’s AGM

    The Sky Blue Stars dominated the second half, creating multiple chances but failing to convert. Their profligacy nearly cost them when veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali curled a free kick that goalkeeper Emmanuel Olisa brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar.

    Substitute Samson Olasupo also passed up opportunities to seal the win, with Pillars’ goalkeeper Okeke Abuchi producing several impressive stops to keep his team in the contest.

    Kano Pillars, however, failed to muster sustained attacking pressure and slumped to their seventh straight away defeat of the season — a run that leaves them bottom of the NPFL with six points from 13 matches.

    Remo Stars’ crucial win lifts them out of the relegation zone into 15th place on 16 points after 12 matches. They now turn their focus to Sunday’s home fixture against 17th-placed Barau FC.

  • AFN mourns former board member Abidoye

    AFN mourns former board member Abidoye

    The Nigerian Athletics Federation (AFN) has condoled with the family of late retired Colonel Jaiye Abidoye, a foundation member and former board member of the AFN in the 1990s.

    Abidoye, died at the age of eighty three.

    In a statement, AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa on behalf of the board acknowledged the immense contribution of the late Abidoye to the growth of athletics and sports in general in Nigeria, Africa and across the globe.

    The AFN President said the late retired Colonel Abidoye whose remains would be laid to rest this weekend in the Egbeda area of Lagos, represented Nigeria in the 1972 All African Games in Lagos.

    Read Also: W’Cup 2026: Toro hails NFF, stakeholders for Super Eagles’   playoff spot

    He was also an Olympian who donned   the colours of Nigeria at both the 1972 and 1976 Olympic games in Munich, Germany and Montreal, Canada respectively.

    Chief Okowa also used the medium to urge athletics stakeholders, sports lovers and the general public to attend the burial programmes as announced by the family

  • AFCON  2025 Countdown : Rohr tips Cheetahs to rebound  after loss to Burkina Faso

    AFCON  2025 Countdown : Rohr tips Cheetahs to rebound  after loss to Burkina Faso

    German Coach  Gernot Rohr is hopeful that    The Cheetahs of Benin would  bounce  back swiftly  despite Tuesday’s disappointing 3-0  loss to the Stallions of Burkina Faso in a   international  friendly at the at the El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia, Rabat.

    Defeat notwithstanding , Rohr said  the result  would ginger The Cheetahs  to work harder in their build-up towards  the  2025  Africa  Cup of Nations (AFCON)  in December where they are drawn in a tricky Group D along with Senegal,  Democratic Republic of Congo  and Botswana.

    In his post-match analysis of the ill-fated encounter, Rohr reckoned  the result was a wake  up call. 

    “This is a result that should wake the players up. We’re seeing the same mistakes again, especially on the wings. We’ll have to work hard because we’ll be facing this type of team: fast, incisive, and difficult to beat,”  Rohr  said.

    Read Also: Jalla kicks over undue  FIFA ‘s intervention in NFF’s electoral process

    Meanwhile,  NationSport  learnt last night that  the former Super Eagles’ manager was not asked to step down  as the coach  of  Cheetahs  by the president of the Federation of Benin Football (FBF), Mathurin De Chacus,as  widely speculated .

    “ It is not true that  Benin FA has asked Rohr  to step down,” a respected  Beninese journalist   said.

    “ It’s fake news,” he added.

    Rohr, who has been in charge of the Benin national team since 2022 and his side was within a distance  of  snatching the automatic  Group C  World Cup  ticket  until they were stopped  by the Super Eagles on the final day following that  4-0 spanking in Uyo.

    Benin  missed  the last two editions of the  AFCON  and are set to make  their  fifth appearance  scheduled  in Morocco between 21st December and 18th January.

  • Arsenal  end  partnership with Visit Rwanda

    Arsenal  end  partnership with Visit Rwanda

    Premier League leaders Arsenal will end their partnership deal with Rwanda at the end of this season, the African country’s development board  has announced.

    The Visit Rwanda partnership, signed eight seasons ago, had increasingly come under scrutiny due to spiralling violence in mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which borders Rwanda.

    The DRC accuses Rwanda of arming and supporting the M23 militia, which has seized swathes of DRC territory since taking up arms in 2021.

    Read Also: TNFF  underlines  global economic power of football

    The conflict has killed thousands of people and triggered a humanitarian crisis, although the DRC and M23 have signed a ceasefire deal and peace framework in recent months.

    Arsenal fans in April protested against the ongoing partnership, which involves the Visit Rwanda logo being carried on the sleeves of the players’ jerseys.

    “Arsenal and the Rwanda Development Board have mutually agreed to conclude their partnership at the end of this season, bringing to a close an eight-season collaboration that included Visit Rwanda as Arsenal’s first Official Sleeve Partner,” the Rwanda Development Board said in a statement.

    Rwanda still has other partnerships with European giants Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and with Atletico Madrid.

  • Beckham signs sports partnership deal with Bank of America

    Beckham signs sports partnership deal with Bank of America

    Former England soccer captain David Beckham signed a multi-year partnership with Bank of America (BAC.N), opens new tab to promote global sports programs ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, he and the bank said about the deal, which was first reported by Reuters.

    The British champion, who co-owns Major League Soccer team Inter Miami, boosted soccer’s popularity in the U.S. during his playing career and later as an owner by bringing Argentine great Lionel Messi to Miami in 2023. Beckham expects the World Cup to stoke more soccer interest in the U.S., where viewership has lagged other sports.

    “It is the biggest sporting competition in the world,” Beckham told Reuters. “I’ve seen a huge uplift in the support for the game … we know that there’s a huge market there, it’s kind of a sleeping giant.”

    The World Cup begins in June and is sponsored by BofA. The deals with FIFA and Beckham fit with the second-largest U.S. bank’s investment in global sports events and programs as a way to burnish its brand, market services and engage with local communities, said David Tyrie, its president of global marketing and digital.

    Read Also: W’Cup 2026: NFF begs Tinubu, Nigerians over  Super Eagles’ setback

    “It’ll be an access point for clients and prospects across the board, but what this really does for us is it opens Bank of America’s branding to go far beyond traditional financial categories, and hopefully create emotional connections that are going to drive loyalty.”

    The parties did not disclose financial details about the partnership.

    Beckham cited the rising number of MLS soccer teams, stadiums and training academies, combined with the rising number of Premier League fans, as evidence that the sport was gaining ground in the U.S.

    “The majority of owners within the MLS see that opportunity (from the World Cup) … to then push on to the next level and to achieve even more, and make this game more popular in their country,” said Beckham, who was knighted by King Charles this month.

  • UEFA okays  Camp Nou return for Barcelona

    UEFA okays  Camp Nou return for Barcelona

    UEFA has given Barcelona the go-ahead to play Champions League matches at their partially rebuilt Camp Nou stadium, the La Liga giants  have said.

    The news comes just a couple of days after Barca announced their long-awaited return to league action at the stadium, which had been beset by construction chaos, after more than two years in exile.

    The Spanish champions will host Eintracht Frankfurt at the Camp Nou on December 9, just over two weeks after re-inaugurating the stadium against Athletic Bilbao in domestic action on November 22.

    Barcelona said in a statement that “UEFA accepted the request, considering that all the necessary requirements have been met.”

    The Camp Nou return will end a messy saga in which Barcelona repeatedly had to postpone their announced reopening of the stadium as construction delays and a failure to secure safety licences curtailed their plans.

    Read Also: Super Eagles’ pay dispute : Height of peculiar mess in NFF  

    The Catalans were humiliatingly forced to play two matches at their 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff training ground stadium in the first weeks of the season after failing to get the permit they needed for Camp Nou, because of safety reasons.

    They have since then been playing in the 55,000-seater Olympic stadium on Montjuic hill.

    Barcelona will open the Camp Nou against Bilbao with a temporary capacity of 45,401 spectators, with space for 105,000 when the top tier is eventually completed.

    They opened the stadium up for 23,000 fans to watch a training session earlier in November as a test event in the reopening process.

    The delay in the work represents a huge financial loss for the club, which needs the revenue generated by its stadium to regain stability.

    Financially troubled Barcelona are estimated to be spending 1.5 billion euros ($1.74bn) on the rebuild.