World football governing body, FIFA, has congratulated Nigeria’s Super Falcons for qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic games. The Falcons held South Africa’s Banyana Banyana to a goalless draw in Pretoria to secure the ticket. Randy Waldrum and his players went into the game with a 1-0 lead from the first leg, thanks to a Rasheedat Ajibade strike from the penalty spot. Reacting to the team’s qualification, FIFA wrote on their X handle:”Congratulations.”  

Following the qualification of the Super Falcons of Nigeria for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Randy Waldrum has demanded that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh make adequate preparations ahead of the event.  Waldrum urged the NFF and Senator Enoh to ensure early camping and early preparations for the Super Falcons ahead of the Olympic Games. Coach Waldrum requested the post-match press briefing shortly after the Super Falcons qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics on Tuesday. The Super Falcons booked their ticket to the Olympics after a tense goalless draw against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in Pretoria. The team had on Friday in the first leg pipped their South African counterparts 1-0, which ultimately secured their qualification for the Olympics in 16 years. Waldrum said: “My plea is to the Minister of Sports and to the Federation to help us prepare properly. We need to camp in Europe to prepare for the group we have. We need proper tra

With less than 3 years to the 2027 African Cup of Nations, the Tanzania government has revealed the amount of cash that will be spent on the stadium construction, BSNSports.com.ng reports. Three countries will stage the biennial competition for the first time with Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya coming up to host the continent. The government in Tanzania on Sunday afternoon announced 286 billion Tanzanian shillings (approximately $124 million) as the cost of the new stadium. It will be named after Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the stadium will have a capacity of 30,000 spectators.   

Nigerian international Wilfred Ndidi will say his goodbyes to promotion-cashing Leicester City this summer with his contract expiring. Ndidi has been a key player for the Foxes, who relinquished their grip on top spot in his absence recently, having taken four points from five league games not long ago, including a run of three successive defeats within that, meaning their lead at the top was completely eradicated. They had a 17-point gap to Leeds United at one stage, and although things remain in the hands of Enzo Maresca's side, they will be concerned with both Leeds and Ipswich in such proximity in the table and having suffered from a loss of form. Promotion has been the aim all season, despite several Leicester's top players departing the King Power Stadium in the summer transfer window, with Harvey Barnes and James Maddison two players in particular who were tipped to leave the club. However, they also retained plenty of Premier League stars who had been a key part of some

The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has rallied behind the Super Falcons, urging them to break the 16-year jinx that has kept Nigeria out of the Olympic Games Female Football event.  Having missed out on the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympic Games, Senator Enoh urged Super Falcons to be determined to reclaim its spot on the international stage. With a 1-0 lead from the first leg held in Abuja, the Super Falcons carry the hopes and dreams of a nation as they head into the decisive match in South Africa. Senator John Owan Enoh, speaking ahead of the match, emphasized the importance of self-belief and resilience in achieving victory. He stated, "The Super Falcons have shown remarkable strength and prowess throughout their journey, and now is the time for them to rise and conquer. We believe in their ability to overcome any challenge and make Nigeria proud." Encouraging the team to soar to new heights, Senator Enoh added, "Breaking the 16-year Ol

The referee in charge of the NNL match between Jigawa Golden Stars and Sporting Supreme, Zaharadeem Nasiru and his assistant, Usman Auwalu have been expelled by the NFF. Recall that the referee awarded a controversial goal against the visitors after a player of the hosts team scored with his hand. The viral video has generated issues within and outside the country as fans have clamoured their expulsion from the game. The referees were also expelled from the NNL and refereeing in general in the country for the horrible officiating that has brought the game to disrepute.  

The 5th edition of the President Beach Volleyball Cup is set to take place from April 12th to 21st, 2024 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium (ABS) in Kaduna state. The Technical Representative of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Chief Martin Melandi, stated that the President Beach Volleyball Cup will be the first official beach volleyball programme of the year.  He also revealed that the success of the women’s team at the 13th African Games in Ghana has consolidated the efforts of the current board led by Engineer Musa Nimrod in transforming the game in Nigeria. Melandi, a former International Referee said the President Cup will help prepare the athletes for a series of International Championships coming up later in the year including the Olympics Qualifiers. He said, “The President Beach Cup is coming late due to the African Games in March. The Federation had a series of camps after the 3rd phase of the 2023 Nigeria Beach Volleyball Tour and before the Federal Ministry of Sports Development ca

South African footballer Luke Fleurs has been shot dead in a car hijacking, police say. The shooting took place at a petrol station on Wednesday night in the Johannesburg suburb of Florida. The 24-year-old Kaizer Chiefs star was waiting to be attended to when he was approached by unknown gunmen, who ordered him to get out of the vehicle. One of the suspects is reported to have fled the scene with Fleurs' car after the shooting. "The suspects pointed [at] him with a firearm and took him out of his vehicle, then shot him once on the upper body," Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo told local media. Kaizer Chiefs, one of the most popular clubs in the country and 12-time league champions,  described his death as "tragic" . The club said police were handling the matter and further details would be communicated in due course. Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa said he was "saddened that yet another life has been cut short due to violent crime&qu

Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie has appealed to Nigerians to come out in their numbers to support the team ahead of the crunch Olympics qualifiers with South Africa.  Nine-time African champions Nigeria and reigning African champions South Africa will clash at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday. She said: "We want our people to come to the stadium and support us. The Super Falcons do not fear any team. With their support, we will play with total confidence and overcome." Nigeria has not participated in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament since 2008 when the Falcons lost all three matches in the group phase in China. The return leg is due for Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld arena on Tuesday next week.

Nigeria's referee's blackouts from international competitions as the World Soccer governing body unveiled the list of match officials for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. From July 26 to August 11, 2024, the Olympic Games will take place in Paris.  Among the competitions will be the men's (July 24-August 9) and women's (July 25-August 10) soccer tournaments.  The list of selected referees has been unveiled, and 89 referees have been chosen.  If these 45 nationalities are, Africa will have three representatives without a Nigerian.  Mauritanian Dahane Beida who refereed the 2023 African Cup of Nations final was chosen and 2 others include Sudanese Mahmood Ismail and the Moroccan Bouchra Karboubi.  

The victory recorded against the Black Stars of Ghana in Marrakech, Morocco counted for little as Nigeria's Super Eagles dropped 2 places in the latest FIFA ranking. The 2-0 defeat suffered in the second match against the Eagles of Mali would have been responsible for the position drop. According to the latest ranking released on Thursday morning, the Super Eagles now ranked 30th in the world as against the 28th position it occupied in February. The Nigerian side still maintains its position as the continent 3rd best-placed team behind Morocco and Senegal. Africa's Top 10 1. Morocco 2. Senegal 3. Nigeria 4. Egypt 5. Ivory Coast 6. Tunisia 7. Algeria 8. Mali 9. Cameroon 10. South Africa  

The Cheetahs of Benin Republic is set to adopt a stadium in Ivory Coast as their home ground for the next African Cup of Nations and the World Cup qualifier. The stadium in Cotonou was declassified by the CAF and FIFA Inspection Teams and they've been mandated to look for an alternative venue for their upcoming home matches. The Cheetahs under Gernot Rohr will host the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Match Day 4 of the World Cup qualifier. The Benin Football Federation has commenced discussion with the Ivorian Football Association to have their home game in one of the stadiums used for the 2023 African Cup of Nations. 

Some members of the all conquering Nigeria boxing team at the just concluded 13th African Games in Ghana have cried out over the non payment of their allowances describing it as unacceptable. Team Nigeria boxers made history in Ghana by winning 8 gold and 2 silver medals to top the boxing table and close to two weeks after the Games ended in Ghana, Some of them are yet to receive their allowances not minding promises made by the Sports Minister, John Enoh that athletes will not encounter any delay in getting their allowances. Investigation carried out by newstap.com.ng revealed that the Ministry initially put the blame on the Easter holidays which did not allow the Central Bank to complete all the documentations for the release of the allowances, but further investigation revealed that while some have been paid others including; National Boxing Coach Anthony Konyegwachie and three gold medalists; Adams Olaore, Patricia Mbata and Cynthia Ogunsemilore are yet to receive theirs. While the

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association for alleged breaches of betting rules. The 23-year-old is currently serving a 10-month ban issued by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in October for breaking betting rules in Italy. Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July for £55m. The FA alleges Tonali broke its rules by placing 50 bets on matches between 12 August and 12 October 2023. Tonali was banned by the FIGC for betting on matches involving his teams Brescia and Milan, and Fifa later granted the Italian federation's request to have the ban extended worldwide. The FA charges relate to separate allegations during Tonali's time as a Newcastle player. "Newcastle United acknowledges a misconduct charge received by Sandro Tonali in respect of alleged breaches of FA Betting Rules," the club said on Thursday. "Sandro continues to fully comply with relevant investigations and he retains the club's

German fourth seed Alexander Zverev moved into the Miami Open semi-finals with a dominant win which ended the run of Hungary's Fabian Marozsan. Zverev, 26, won 6-3 7-5 to reach the last four at the event for the first time since 2018. The Olympic champion used his serve to great effect, while taking four of the seven break points he created against 57th-ranked Marozsan. Zverev will play Spain's Carlos Alcaraz or Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov next. Top seed Alcaraz and Dimitrov, seeded 11th, play their quarter-final match in Thursday's night session at the Florida event. "I'm happy to be back in these late stages of these tournaments, playing the best players in the world, I think there are only those left," Zverev said. "I'm looking forward to the challenge." Italian second seed Jannik Sinner and Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev booked their places in the last four on Wednesday, setting up a rematch of their recent Australian Open final. Zvere

African soccer governing body has announced the date for the final of the 2024 Confederation Cup. Rivers United is the only Nigerian club in the continent and they are drawn to play a quarter-final game against the defending champions USM Algiers of Algeria. The first leg will take place in Nigeria while Algiers the capital of Algeria will stage the second leg. "The first leg of the Confederation Cup final will be played on Sunday, May 12. The second leg will be the following weekend, on Sunday, May 19." CAF also confirmed the date for the final of the Champions League. 2023-24 CAF Champions League final First Leg: Saturday, May 18 Second Leg: Saturday, May 25 2023-24 Caf Confederation Cup final First Leg: Sunday May 12 Second Leg: Sunday, May 19

Ahead of the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup, the head coach of the defending champions USM Algier Garrido is already thinking of getting a win in Nigeria. The Algerian champions will confront Nigeria's representative Rivers United in the quarter-final of the Confederation Cup. The first leg is slated to take place at the Goodwill Akpabio stadium in Uyo and Garrido is already envisaging a win in Nigeria. "We will do everything to come back with a win from Nigeria", he said. USM Algiers is presently the African champion after winning the Confederation Cup trophy and also the Super Cup beating Al Ahly of Egypt.   

Ben Akwuegbu FC proved doubters wrong with slim 1-0 loss to Plateau United in the 2023/2024 Plateau State Federation Cup Semifinal with impressive performances in the competition. Akwuegbu FC were the better and stronger team during the encounter but were unlucky to concede in the 45th minute.     Akwuegbu FC had beaten Propel SA 2-1 in the quarter-finals with young and hottest striker, Dayo Habib on the scoresheet. Akwuegbu FC team ensured they created a lasting positive impression on the minds of football fans who turned out in large numbers to watch the encounter.  They did this by ensuring Plateau United did not score more than once as Olawale Doyeni's 45th minute goal for the Peace Boys made the difference between the two sides. Coach Joshua Zira's Ben Akwuegbu FC team are now looking forward to a brighter futurel owing to the experience they gathered in the course of their journey in the FA Cup.