Sports

Championship side Luton Town has announced the signing of former Nigerian international Victor Moses on a permanent deal, pending international clearance. The 33-year-old winger joins after leaving Russian club Spartak Moscow earlier this summer following the expiration of his contract. Moses brings a wealth of experience, having played for top European clubs such as Wigan Athletic, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Inter Milan. He was also a key part of Chelsea’s 2012/13 UEFA Europa League-winning squad under Rafa Benitez. Expressing his excitement, Moses said, “I’m looking forward to it. I had a few offers from Europe, but I told my agent I set my mind on staying here, and here we are. I’m very pleased and honored to be at this club, and I just can’t wait to get going.” He also revealed that di...

Victor Boniface By Ali Elias Boniface, who made his debut for Nigeria under Jose Peseiro and later played under Finidi George, is set to compete in the upcoming AFCON 2025 qualifiers under another home-based coach, Augustine Eguavoen. Despite Nigeria's AFCON 2013 triumph under the late Stephen Keshi, many fans remain skeptical about having a home-based coach lead such a talented squad, believing that a foreign coach might better harness the team's potential. However, Boniface disagrees with this perspective, dismissing the criticism of coaches, whether local or foreign. “The truth is even if we bring Guardiola, Nigerians will still have something to say, but I’m a type of person that doesn’t care about what people think, because we’re they’re not here with the team. Our job is to ...

Olympic javelin gold medalist Arshad Nadeem received a total of 250 million rupees ($897,000) on Tuesday as Pakistan continued to celebrate his record-breaking throw at the Paris Games. Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, announced 150 million rupees ($538,000) for Nadeem at a special ceremony to honor the star athlete in Islamabad. Sharif’s announcement came hours after Punjab’s chief minister Mariam Nawaz visited Nadeem’s house in a village in the Mian Channu district and presented him with a check for 100 million rupees ($359,000). Nawaz also handed him the keys to a new car which has a special registration number of “PAK 92.97” to commemorate Nadeem’s throw of 92.97 meters at Paris, which was an Olympic record. Nadeem’s coach Salman Iqbal Butt was also given 5 million...

By Els William "Kylian, thank you for making an effort that many can't possibly imagine so that today you can wear this white shirt, the shirt of the 15 European Cups," said Florentino Pérez to a packed stadium. The unveiling of Kylian Mbappé as Real Madrid's latest acquisition was nothing short of spectacular. The Santiago Bernabéu stadium was the setting for a grand ceremony, reflecting the club's storied history and the high hopes placed on their new star. The fans were eager to witness the unveiling of one of football's brightest talents. The atmosphere was simply electric as the fans cheered. Kylian Mbappé was given a rapturous reception at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. More than 80,000 fans applauded the striker as he was unveiled as a new Madrid player....

By Els William Over 370,000 fans have signed, according to change.com on a petition to replay the Euro 2024 Quarter-Finals match between Spain and Germany due to a handball by Marc Cucurella that wasn't called as a penalty. The match, played last Friday, ended with Spain winning 2-1 in extra time, with Mikel Merino scoring the decisive goal in the 119th minute. Dani Olmo had initially put Spain ahead, and Florian Wirtz equalized for Germany in the 89th minute. The controversy arose in the 23rd minute of extra time when Cucurella's hand blocked a shot from Jamal Musiala in the penalty area. Despite Germany's appeals, referee Anthony Taylor waved play on, with his VAR team in agreement. The mission statement of the petition has it that 'Euro 2024 quarter-final: Germany vs Spai...

Photo courtesy: Getty Images By Els William After a phenomenal season with Atalanta BC and Nigeria, Ademola Lookman has become one of Europe's most sought-after players. His impressive stats - 20 goals and 9 assists - have caught the attention of top clubs like Juventus, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich. But Atalanta BC is not willing to let their star player go without a fight. With two years left on his contract, the Italian giants are holding out for a hefty transfer fee of around €70 million. If sold, Lookman will become the second most expensive sale in Atalanta's history, just behind Rasmus Højlund's €73.5 million transfer to Manchester United. Lookman's journey from a €10 million signing in 2022 to a €70 million transfer target is a testament to his hard work and tal...

By Ali Elias Sports Minister Senator John Enoh has hinted at taking drastic measures to revitalize Nigeria's struggling football scene. Speaking on Chief Segun Odegbami's Eagle7 radio program, Enoh expressed frustration with the current state of affairs and the fear of FIFA ban used to justify inaction. “I cannot continue to keep quiet any longer over the affairs of the NFF because of fear of FIFA ban. I will continue to walk the fine line that protects the interest and emotions of Nigerians who expect nothing but good results and that our football be run properly, so that results posted by our teams add to their happiness and liveliness” the Sports Minister said As a sovereign nation, Enoh emphasized that Nigeria spent N17bn to clear NFF debts, not FIFA. He stressed that qualifyi...

Photo credit: Score Nigeria. Jose Peseiro, fmr. Super Eagle's coach By Ali Elias The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is facing a crisis of credibility, according to former Gombe Football Association chairman, Shuaibu Gara Gombe. In a recent interview on Nigerian Info FM Abuja, Gara Gombe expressed his skepticism about the NFF's ability to secure funding for a new foreign coach for the Super Eagles, citing a lack of accountability and transparency within the organization. Gara Gombe's comments came in response to Sports Minister John Enoh's suggestion that crowdfunding could be a viable option to pay for a new foreign coach. However, Gara Gombe is adamant that Nigerians will not be willing to contribute to such a fund, given the NFF's questionable track record. "We have to re...

Vinicius Jr. By Els William Former Arsenal star and midfielder, Julio Baptista, votes Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. as the world's best player currently. Courtsy Reddit: Julio Baptista Julio Baptista was quoted on Reddit as remarkjng on Vinicius Jr., "He has achieved tremendous consistency in important games, and only the best do that. Ballon D'or? This year I have no doubt I would give it to him. Between him and Bellingham, I think I would give it to Vini for being more differential in important games."  “Ballon d’Or? It’s between Vinícius and Bellingham, and I would give it to Vinícius for being the difference in big matches,” Baptista was quoted as saying He added, “Vinicius has decided many matches and is always there in the big moments. I think he is the best playe...

Super Eagles Coach, Finidi George By Segun Odegbami By the time you are reading this on Saturday morning, Nigeria would have played the match that would mark Finidi George’s real baptism into the world of Nigerian football. The long-awaited confrontation between Bafana Bafana of South Africa and the Super Eagles of Nigeria after AFCON 2023 would have been settled on the Uyo Township Stadium ground last night. I hope that the Super Eagles won because no explanation would be acceptable for not winning. That is the lot of coaches – the moment they are hired, their records of success and of failure start to count. Finidi George’s cannot be an exception. No excuses for failure are acceptable. This morning, the outcome of the match would be front-page, setting the foundation for ...