Author: Sir Bartholomew White Ebe

Morocco have advanced to the semi-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after defeating defending champions South Africa 2-1 in a thrilling quarter-final clash on Saturday. The victory also secured Morocco’s qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Playing at the Stade Moulay El Hassan in Rabat, the Atlas Lionesses took the lead in the 31st minute through Sakina Ouzraoui, who finished after receiving a pass from Hanane Aït El Haj. South Africa went into the break trailing by a goal but found themselves two goals down shortly after the restart. Aït El Haj converted from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute to double Morocco’s advantage. Banyana Banyana responded in the 67th minute when Thembi Kgatlana pulled one back, giving the defendin...

FIFA has pushed back against what it described as coordinated efforts to undermine the organisation and its president, Gianni Infantino, insisting that he continues to enjoy the mandate of its member associations. In a statement issued on Saturday, the world football governing body said it would neither support nor facilitate any process relating to the election of its president that violates FIFA’s statutes, democratic procedures or established governance framework. FIFA stressed that Infantino was democratically elected by its member associations and remains in office with their mandate. The organisation said recent statements from continental bodies, including CONMEBOL and CAF, as well as discussions with member associations and confederations worldwide, had reinforced its posi...

Lagos State is ready to host the inaugural National Intermediate Sports Festival scheduled for October 1 to 15, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured. Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Saturday on X while inspecting ongoing rehabilitation works at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, one of the facilities being prepared for the event. The governor said Lagos accepted the hosting rights after the National Sports Commission awarded the state the opportunity to host the maiden edition of the festival. He said the event would provide a platform for grassroots sports development and help young athletes discover and develop their talents before progressing to elite competition. “About two months ago, we had the unique opportunity that the National Sports Commission handed over to ...

‎The Nigeria Football Federation has dismissed the falsehood reports circulating on social media that it has asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to step down from his position.‎‎In a notice posted on its official X handle #thenff on Saturday, the NFF stated “Contrary to reports, especially on social media, #thenff has never asked and is not asking for #FIFAcom President, Mr. Gianni Infantino to step down as FIFA PRESIDENT. This is outright falsehood. Kindly disregard.”‎‎The clarification comes amid heightened global scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership following the controversy over a now-abandoned proposal to sell commercial rights linked to the World Cup.‎‎ Several European football associations, including Norway, have publicly called for the FIFA President to resign, while others and th...

UEFA has confirmed that a “departure payment” was made to a female employee who was allegedly in a relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino while he was the organisation’s general secretary. The payment was disclosed following a report by The Telegraph that the woman received a six-figure sum after the alleged relationship with Infantino, who has been married since 2001. UEFA also confirmed that it paid fees for an MBA course at a local business school for the employee. A UEFA spokesperson told ITV News on Saturday that the payment complied with regulations governing departing staff at the time. undefined “We are aware of the allegations and can confirm a departure payment was made to the individual in question, coupled with the payment of fees for an MBA course...