Sports

Director General of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has dismissed speculation linking Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle with a move away from Nigeria amid reported interest from Tunisia, Gabon and Angola. Chelle has attracted attention following Nigeria’s bronze medal finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The Malian coach currently has less than a year remaining on his contract with the Nigeria Football Federation, sparking rumours about his future. However, Olopade insisted that Chelle remains fully committed to the Super Eagles and will not be leaving his role. “Eric Chelle is not going anywhere. The countries claiming interest in him don’t have the kind of superstars that make his job easier,” Olopade said. He explained that Chelle’s su...

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has scheduled its Extraordinary Congress for February 14 in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, as part of efforts to address pressing administrative, statutory and developmental issues.  The congress, which is being convened outside the Federation’s statutory Annual General Assembly (AGA), will bring together members of the NFF Executive Committee, chairmen of state football associations, representatives of the various leagues and other key football stakeholders from across the country. According to information from the Glass House, the Extraordinary Congress will focus on matters requiring urgent attention, including critical policy decisions and resolutions considered essential for the smooth administration and long-term development of fo...

Former Spain coach Robert Moreno has reportedly been dismissed after relying heavily on ChatGPT to plan training schedules and make key team decisions. The 48-year-old was relieved of his duties at Russian First League side FC Sochi last September, having managed just one point from seven matches. According to the club’s former sporting director, Andrei Orlov, Moreno was an avid user of ChatGPT and frequently depended on the AI tool for decision-making—sometimes with unusual consequences. Orlov revealed that during preparations for an away fixture in Khabarovsk, Moreno strictly followed a schedule generated by ChatGPT. The plan reportedly required players to train at 7 a.m. two days before the match and remain awake for a continuous 28-hour period. Speaking in an interview with...

Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has won his first trophy with Qatari side Al Ahli, marking a memorable milestone in his career. Al Ahli secured the UAE-Qatar Super Cup Challenge Cup following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Al Jazira. Although the 32-year-old didn’t feature in the game, after completing a move to Al Ahli SC of Qatar after leaving Saudi club Al Kholood. He signed a contract with the Qatari side that runs until June 2028, marking a significant step in his career as he joins one of Qatar’s top clubs. Troost-Ekong, who has been a key figure for the Super Eagles, brings extensive experience from both European and Middle Eastern football. His arrival at Al Ahli is expected to strengthen the club’s defence and add leadership to the bac...

Nigerian players have once again asserted their dominance in African women’s football after five Super Falcons stars were named in the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) Women’s Africa XI for 2025. The list, unveiled as the IFFHS CAF Women’s Team of the Year for 2025, includes goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defenders Michelle Alozie and Ashleigh Plumptre, along with midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Rasheedat Ajibade. Nnadozie’s selection comes as no surprise, given her reputation as one of Africa’s top goalkeepers. Her consistent performances for the Super Falcons and her club sides in Europe have earned widespread praise, with her composure, shot-stopping ability and command of the box standing out. In defence, Alozie and Plumptre anchor a solid bac...

Manchester United breathed new life into the Premier League title race with a thrilling 3–2 win over league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, inflicting the Gunners’ first home league loss of the season. Goals from Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha in the second half proved decisive in an entertaining encounter that saw momentum swing repeatedly between both sides. Arsenal took the lead in the 29th minute after a dangerous ball into the box forced Lisandro Martinez into an own goal, much to the delight of the home supporters. United responded eight minutes later, capitalising on a mistake by Martin Zubimendi, who lost possession and gifted the ball to Bryan Mbeumo. The forward calmly finished to bring the visitors level. Shortly after the restart, United went ahe...

Victor Osimhen has cemented his hero status among Galatasaray supporters after scoring his 50th goal for the Turkish giants, a milestone achieved in record time. The 27-year-old reached the 50-goal milestone in just 59 games, making him the fastest player to reach 50 goals for Galatasaray since 2000, according to Transfermarkt’s database report on Saturday. Although he failed to score in Galatasaray’s 1–1 draw against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, he didn’t have to wait long to hit the milestone. Osimhen struck in the very next match, scoring Galatasaray’s third goal in a 3–1 win over Fatih Karagümrük, after Gabriel Sara’s first-half brace had put the team in control. Osimhen enjoyed a remarkable debut campaign at Galatasaray, scoring 37 goals in 41 games, and he...

Bayelsa United’s team bus was involved in a frightening incident on the Abuja road while travelling to Kano State for their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 22 clash against Barau FC. According to reports, one of the tyres detached while the bus was in motion, triggering panic among the players and officials onboard. However, the driver reportedly managed to regain control of the vehicle, preventing a more serious outcome. No casualties were recorded, and all members of the Bayelsa United contingent are said to be safe, with no serious injuries sustained. As of the time of reporting, club officials have not announced alternative travel arrangements or explained how the incident may affect the team’s match preparations. The incident recalls a tragic road accident ...

Morocco is not abandoning African football; it is working to reshape it from within. Claims suggesting otherwise reflect the digital age’s tendency to turn emotion into speculation, where frustration fuels imagined outcomes rather than legal facts. In the emotionally charged aftermath of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, social media became fertile ground for misleading narratives. Alongside genuine disappointment, opportunistic actors amplified rumors that blurred anger with misinformation, giving rise to claims that Morocco was preparing to leave the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and join UEFA. For many Moroccan fans, the final revived a long-standing sense of alienation—of belonging fully to African football while feeling persistently marginalized within it. This ...

A senior official of the German Football Association (DFB) has called on European football authorities to openly discuss the possibility of boycotting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in response to recent actions and statements by United States President Donald Trump. The tournament is scheduled to take place this summer across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the US hosting the majority of the fixtures. Out of the 104 matches planned, 78 are set to be played on American soil. Diplomatic tensions have intensified between Washington and several European capitals following comments by President Trump suggesting a possible takeover of Greenland, an autonomous territory under Danish control. The remarks triggered widespread backlash in Europe, particularly in Denmark. Relations furt...