Athletics Federation of Nigeria president-elect, Honourable Ibrahim Gusau, has been officially recognised as the de facto head of track and field in Nigeria by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) following his election on June 13 in Abuja. In its latest Newsletter, the IAAF listed Gusau among the 11 new heads of national federations elected or re-elected as the case may be in the past one month. The information regarding Gusau's election was supplied for publication in the Newsletter by the IAAF governance, member and international relations department and represents member federation election results received since the last newsletter was published. Meanwhile, the Gusau-led board of the AFN will be inaugurated on Monday July 10 by Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, in Abuja.Others members of the new board to be inaugurated include Fidelis Tafida Gadzama, a member of Nigeria's gold medal-winning 4x400m relay team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics who ...

Tuesday’s reveal of the details of the Michael Garcia report, an internal probe into the bidding processes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups greenlit by FIFA back in 2014, has set tongues wagging again. World football’s governing body has made a big deal out of breaking with the former traditions, under which FIFA business was conducted on an unwritten code of silence and mystery. What this has done is dredge up a man who, in the last seven years, has lurched between two separate indictments relating to unethical behaviour. Following an unsuccessful appeal of his first ban in October 2010, for allegedly seeking bribes in an undercover sting by British newspaper The Sunday Times, Amos Adamu pretty much disappeared from the public eye. In February 2017, he was handed another ban, this time for two years, based on the findings in the Garcia report. Only now though is it clear just what was found on him: among other things, the lengths to which World Cup bids were willing...

Since his mid-season switch to Eunisell sponsored Rivers United, John Odumegwu has warmed his way into the heart of head coach, Stanley Eguma. After a quiet first round at Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) log leaders, Plateau United, the strong and skillful forward has turned his season around with sublime displays for United. Interestingly, Odumegwu’s contributions at United represents a turnaround for a player, who suffered the pains of relegation at Warri Wolves, last term. “His presence is massive advantage for United. I was in Tunisia where he made his debut and watched him severally,” celebrated NPFL star, Victor Ezeji said. A goal on his debut at Club Africain fast-tracked his integration into the squad and has remained in the match day squad in successive matches against Morocco’s FUS Rabat and Uganda’s KCCA, respectively.

  Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr will begin his preparation for Nigeria’s Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon with home-based players, officials of the team have disclosed. Nigeria will meet Cameroun in the first game of the double-header in Uyo on August 28 and travel Yaoundé for the reverse tie three days later. Super Eagles’ Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, told newsmen yesterday that Rohr would start preparations for the matches with the 44 players named last week by his assist, Salisu Yusuf for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), adding that it would also give the  Nigeria will meet Cameroun in the first game of the double-header in Uyo on August 28 and travel Yaoundé for the reverse tie three days later. Ibitoye said the Eagles’ Manager, who is still meeting with players in Europe ahead of the World Cup qualifiers, will be on ground to supervise the CHAN players’ screening, adding that quality friendly games would be organized for the...

Leicester City winger Ahmed Musa admits he has to work hard to get back into reckoning at the club for the coming season after playing a bit-part role for the Foxes since the exit of Claudio Ranieri last season. Musa arrived at Leicester from CSKA Moscow for a fee of €19m last season but failed to replicate his form, scoring just four goals in 32 games in all competitions for the Foxes. In 2015/16 season with CSKA Moscow where he won three Russian Premier League titles, one Russian Cup and two Russian Super Cup titles, Musa scored 18 goals in 44 games. But this past season, (2016/17 season) the Nigerian international and former captain of the Super Eagles came in for criticism over his lack-lustre performances with the dethroned English Premier League champions. Leicester City won the EPL title in the 2015/16 season but finished 12th last season after flirting with relegation. "I know I have to work hard to get back in the starting line-up," Musa told C...

Gael Monfils overwhelmed home town hope, Cameron Norrie 6/3; 6/2, while Novak Djokovic defeated America’s Donald Young 6/2; 7/6 (9) to reach the semifinals at Eastbourne. It was a different story with second seeded lady, Simona Halep of Romania, who battled for two hours and 40 minutes before defeating Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova by a close score of 6/7 (6); 7/6 (4); 7/5. The 21-year old South- African born Briton, Cameron Norrie (ranked 236 in the world) received a wildcard entry into the main draw and won the first round match against 29-year Horatio Zeballos of Argentina, 6/4; 7/6. However, in the quarterfinals, he faced the colourful and talented Frenchman, Monsieur Monfils. Their one-sided encounter lasted only 58 minutes. Djokovic had a quick first set against Donald Young but it was a different experience in the second. On crucial points, the 27-year old left-handed player from Chicago took maximum advantage of his slice serve to his opponent’s left court. The games ...

We have done a thorough job, says Zira Anxiety has gripped most of the candidates that protested the conduct and outcome of the June 13 federations’ elections in Abuja, as the appeals committee set up by the sports ministry to look into their cases release its findings today. The elections were allegedly marred by irregularities, prompting a total of 20 petitions from aggrieved members in 11 sports federations, with the highest number of six lodged by candidates who contested various positions on the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). The Guardian learnt that some of the ‘protesting candidates’ shifted base to Abuja yesterday waiting anxiously for the outcome of the appeals committee headed by Abdulrazak Salau. One of the candidates, who spoke with The Guardian yesterday, declared he would not take any ‘rubbish’ from the appeals committee. “If it means going a step further to get justice, I will have to do so because from what I have heard, a lot of manipu...

Set to nurture children to become football stars at the Meadow Hall Summer Football Camp No doubt, there has been serious dip in the country’s football. The ‘Golden Generation’ (1994-1998), led by the late Stephen Keshi, has given way to ‘Struggling Generation’ (1998 to date), with the Super Eagles metamorphosing into ‘Super Chickens’ and ‘Egrets’. For many keen followers of Nigerian football, this does not bode well for a country with a population of over 150 million people. Daniel Owefin Amokachi is part of the ‘Golden Generation’, and he is not happy with how the country is still struggling to make impact in the continent’s football after its 1994 zenith, when it was the fifth best team in the world. Nicknamed ‘Dan, The Bull’ in his playing days, Amokachi is now a coach. Beyond coaching and training, his vision is to help develop talent for Nigerian football, which is currently going through its darkest period. Already, he is involved in a summer football camp for young ...

Super Eagles 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opponent Bafana Bafana of South Africa will kick-off their campaign at this year's Council of Southern Africa Football Association (COSAFA) Cup from the quarter-finals against Tanzania on Sunday. The 17th edition COSAFA Cup kicked off on Sunday, June 25, and will end on Sunday, July 9 with 14 countries taking part. Hosts and current h olders, Bafana Bafana, did not take part in the preliminary group stage games. The four-time champions of COSAFA Cup will take on Tanzania inside the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday. Also, the Super Eagles 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying group foes, Chipolopolo of Zambia, will join the competition from the quarter-finalsu when they tackle Botswana on Saturday, July 1st. Zambia, who last won the tournament in 2013 as hosts, are gunning for their fifth title. Meanwhile, the Super Eagles j 2019 AFCON qualifying group opponent, Seychelles, have already crashed out of the COSAFA Cup after ...

Striker delighted to sign three-year deal to return to Cherries, 16 years after loan spell at Vitality Stadium "It's great to be back and I'm really looking forward to this challenge," Defoe told  afcb.co.uk . "It was an easy decision, joining a top team with a top manager. It's a great place to be. "The Bournemouth fans know that every time I pull the shirt on I will give 100 per cent, and the one thing I can guarantee is goals." The Premier League's seventh-highest all-time top scorer with 158 goals, Defoe rejoins the club for whom he played for on loan in 2000/01, scoring in 10 successive matches in the second division.  The former   West Ham United ,   Tottenham Hotspur   and   Portsmouth   striker will add to an AFC Bournemouth attack that scored 55 goals last season as they achieved a club-record ninth-place PL finish.

Huddersfield manager David Wagner has signed a new two-year contract, the  Premier League   club have announced. The German boss had been rewarded with a new deal after guiding the Terriers to the Premier League in his first full season in charge. Huddersfield finished fifth in the Championship last season but gained promotion by beating  Reading  in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium. Wagner was subsequently linked with a number of other clubs following his early success with Huddersfield, but had decided to remain at the club as they begin their top flight campaign since the 1970s.

The 22-year-old defender, who made 10 Premier League appearances and scored three goals while on loan with the Cherries last season, has signed a long-term deal with Eddie Howe's side. "I had a great time here last season so I’m really happy to be back," Ake told  afcb.co.uk . "It’s an exciting challenge. "Chelsea is a great club and I learned so much there but this is a new step and the right place for me to develop even more." Ake, who can play at centre-back, full-back or in central midfield, is AFC Bournemouth’s third summer signing. He follows his former Chelsea team-mate Asmir Begovic, the goalkeeper, and Jermain Defoe, the striker, to Vitality Stadium. AFC Bournemouth start their 2017/18 Premier League campaign at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday 12 August. Their first pre-season match is against Estoril Praia on the 15 July.

The Nigeria Football federation is in joyous mood following the return to training of the Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper Carl Ikeme at his English Championship club, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Ikeme last played for Nigeria last year against Zambia in a 2018 World Cup qualifying match.  He got injured during a game for his club The Wolves   last year.  He has since missed two key Super Eagles game in the 2018 World Cup and 2019 AFCON qualifiers against Algeria and South Africa respectively both at home. Scribe of the NFF, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed told newsmen  in Abuja that  Ikeme's return will be a morale  booster to the Super Eagles ahead of their World Cup qualifier  against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in August  "We are happy that Ikeme is back after a long lay-off due to injury and I believe his presence in the team will give the other players the morale to go all out for a win against Cameroon in August. We have missed him," Sanus...

Germany scored two goals in the first eight minutes of their semifinal clash of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup against Mexico on Thursday evening at the Fisht stadium, Sochi to claim a 4-1 win to set up the final of the tournament on Sunday against South American champions, Chile. Leon Goretzka scored a brace while Timo Werner and Amin Younes got the other two for the Germans. Marco Fabian scored a consolation goal for CONCACAF champions Mexico. Goretzka scored the Germans' first goal in the sixth minute when he picked a pass and without hesitation fired an unstoppable shot into the bottom left corner. Gorezka doubled his team's lead just two minutes later when he showed great awareness from a quick counter to get to the ball before a couple of defenders and from inside the box slotted it into the bottom left corner. In the 19th minute, Germany's Werner controlled a reverse pass deep inside the box and smacked the ball low towards th...

The newly-elected boards of National Sports Federations will now be inaugurated on July 10 in Abuja, an official of the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports said on Wednesday. Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, the Special Assistant on Media to Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Youths and Sports, said in a statement that the inauguration was scheduled for the Abuja National Stadium. She said the inauguration, which was earlier slated for July 13, was moved forward by three days to enable the federations hit the ground running. Ikem-Anibeze explained that the inauguration was also brought forward because some of the federations were preparing for major competitions outside the country, such as the Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG). She said the inauguration was not going to be affected by the hearing of Petitions and Appeals arising from the elections, as this would continue on Thursday. “A formal statement on findings, decisions and bye elections, if any, will be made on Friday.’’

AITEO, Nigeria’s foremost energy solution company, on Wednesday acquired the ‘Naming Right’ of the NFF Federation Cup, as an extension/addendum to the company’s sponsorship agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation. It is also part of the rights AITEO has under the original agreement. Those rights will enable the acquisition of additional commercial assets from the NFF that are available and not encumbered, on a mutually –negotiated basis. To this end, the NFF Federation Cup, the oldest football competition in Nigeria, is henceforth to be known and addressed as "AITEO Cup" The duration of this aspect of the sponsorship is 5 years, similar to the main agreement (signed on 26th April 2017) on a Cost Value Arrangement and commencing from the 2017 season.  This arrangement will see AITEO underwriting the costs of the organisation of the competition which encompasses the costs of organising the competition from the Round of 64 to the men and women’s finals, solidarity ...

Arsenal have had a bid rejected for 26-year-old French striker Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon, but negotiations are still ongoing. However, the Gunners are less likely to sign Monaco midfielder Thomas Lemar, 21, having also had a bid turned down. Meanwhile, Arsenal have not yet received any bids for 28-year-old Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez. Sanchez has only a year left on his contract and may be allowed to leave for the right price. However, letting Sanchez leave would depend on various factors, such as what reinforcements Arsenal have in place and where the interest was from, as they would be reluctant to sell him to another English club. The North London side do still hope Sanchez, their top scorer last season, will sign a new deal.

Bravo denied efforts from Ricardo Quaresma, Joao Moutinho and Nani as Chile converted all their spot-kicks. It was perhaps justice for Chile, who had a strong claim for a penalty denied deep in extra time and also hit the post twice in quick succession. They will play either Germany or Mexico in Sunday's final in St Petersburg. Arturo Vidal, whose shot hit the post in closing stages of extra-time before Martin Rodriguez's follow up also hit the woodwork, was successful from the spot for Chile along with Charles Aranguiz and Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez. The dramatic finale lit up an otherwise dull encounter, with both sides looking tired after playing their fourth game in just 10 days at the tournament in Russia. Bravo's performance will have come as welcome relief for the goalkeeper at the end of a difficult season domestically. The 34-year-old was signed by Pep Guardiola from Barcelona last summer to replace England international Joe Hart, but faced criticism...

Sports minister Solomon Dalung has urged athletes preparing for the Commonwealth Youth Games scheduled to hold in Nassau, Bahamas, in July to work hard for success in the competition. Dalung, who visited the athletes at the Package B Hostel, National Stadium, Abuja, on Saturday, urged them to believe in themselves. The minister said, "I came here to encourage you and to see how you all are faring in camp. "I'm aware that you have already spent one month and will be leaving for the Commonwealth Youth Games soon. I want you to believe in yourselves because self-confidence will help you not only in your careers as athletes but also in life. "I urge you to be the best that you can to lift your careers and also win laurels not only for yourselves but for our country. "I want to assure you that all your camp allowances will be paid in time without complaints but to who much is given, much is also expected." The captain of the team Knowlege Omovoh c...

Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr must be heaving a sigh of relief following encouraging reports from England about his first choice goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme who has been sidelined by injury for close to two months now. Ikeme missed end of the season games for Wolverhampton Wanderers last season due to injury. He was also absent when the Super Eagles played Corsica and Togo in friendly games last month. Indeed Ikeme's absence was most felt when the national team succumbed to a 0-2 defeat to South Africa at the magnificent Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo in a 2019 AFCON qualifier. But the goalkeeper recently posted pictures of himself closing in on a return as his Championship team get set for pre-season training. With his imminent return for both club and country, Daniel Akpeyi's future in the senior national team is in serious doubt. Ikeme has been doing serious walk outs ahead of Nigeria's tie against Cameroon in the World Cup 2018 qualifier. Akepyi broke into t...

TYSON FURY wants to fight Anthony Joshua in front of 180,000 - in Nigeria,  The Sun  reports. The two heavyweight boxers are continuing their trash-talking over a potential "Battle of Britain" clash. And one week after the self-titled "Gypsy King" said he "was more Nigerian" than Joshua, Fury has hinted where he would like to see the fight. Talking to  iFilmTV , Fury admitted it "may not be at Wembley", saying, "(The AJ fight) might be in Nigeria in Lagos, I've heard they've got a 180,000-seater there. "So considering I'm the 'Nigerian Nightmare' now then we'll go over there. "Or it could be in Ireland at Croke Park, that holds a lot of people or it could be at Wembley, you never know." Fury is desperate for a return to boxing, having had his belts stripped and licence suspended after he admitted taking c

Edo  FA will hold a memorial lecture to honour late Super Eagles coach Shuaibu Amodu on Friday. Chairman Edo FA Frank Ilaboya said the lecture would be held to honour Amodu and also remember the life and times of one of the country's finest coaches. The lecture titled Life and Times of Shuaibu Amodu, would be delivered by veteran coach, Alabi Aisien. A novelty match involving ex-internationals would be played after the lecture. According to Ilaboya, the event scheduled for the Media Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, will feature coaches, former and current players, as well as sports and football administrators. "Beyond the lecture, the occasion will serve as a reminder to both Edo State and the Federal Government on the need to find a way to immortalise Nigeria's past heroes," Ilaboya stated. Amodu died in Benin City on June 11, 2016, aged 58, few days after the demise of another Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi. The late coa...

Former  Nigerian international, Mutiu Adepoju has stated that the participation of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the ongoing FIFA Confederations Cup has exposed the team's strength and weaknesses ahead of the two-legged World Cup qualifier ties against the Super Eagles. Answering questions from Daily Sun sports on telephone, the former Eagles utility winger urged the Gernot Rohr-tutored team to urgently put the defeat in the hand of the visiting Bafana Bafana of South Africa behind them and concentrate on the game with the Lions. Headmaster, as he is fondly called, who reacted to the Super Eagles disappointing to the South Africa argued that it is not a setback to the team, but an opportunity for the technical crew to work more on the team. In his words: "I won't agree that the defeat by South Africa was a setback and I won't also agree that there is a problem in the team because losing a match does not mean death sentence. It was rather a bad ...

Cameroon need to improve their football infrastructure if they want to compete with the world's top teams, coach Hugo Broos said following their Confederations Cup exit. Despite winning the Africa Cup of Nations in February, Broos added that the five-time continental champions had to stop living on their past success and face reality. Cameroon were knocked out of the tournament in Russia on Sunday after a 3-1 defeat to Germany left them with one point from three matches, an outcome which Broos said he had been expecting. The Indomitable Lions are also struggling to qualify for next year's World Cup, having taken only two points from their first two games in African group B to leave them four behind leaders Nigeria. Only the winners qualify. "It was not a surprise for me. I always said after we won the Nations Cup that we are one of the best teams in Africa but there is still a difference between us and modern football," Broos told reporters after Sunday...

  The video analyst of the Super Eagles Nabil Trabelsi has completed his mission in Russia at the Confederations Cup where he spied on Cameroon, Nigeria's next opponent in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Nabil was appointed by coach Gernot Rohr as one of his assistants but specifically to study opponents using videos of past games of the opponents of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Already he has sent some of the clips to top chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the team's Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr, who left the spying job for Nabil. Cameroon played three games at the Confederations Cup failing to win any of their three games as they crashed out in the group stage with losses against Chile and Germany leaving them with just one point, picked up from the 1-1 draw against Australia. The Indomitable Lions struggled to score goals at the tournament with coach Hugo Broos confessing that his side need to solve their goal scoring issues before facing...

Former Nigeria international, Etim Esin, has played down the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon's poor outing at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia, positing that they still remain a formidable side. African champions Cameroon, were ousted from 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup after losing 3-1 to world champions Germany in their last Group B game on Sunday. The defeat was their second in the group after initially losing 2-0 to Chile and drawing 1-1 with Australia. Despite their lacklustre performance in Russia, Esin who was a member of the Super Eagles team that lost 1-0 to Cameroon in Yaounde in their last group game during the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, advised that the Super Eagles must present their best players for August's 2018 World Cup qualifier in Uyo. "For me, Cameroon are still a side to reckon with despite their poor outing at the Confederations Cup, I think the Confederations Cup has served as a platform for them to prepare for the game agains...

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday defended Super Eagles' coach, Gernot Rohr's preference towork from Europe, saying the arrangement is to help the coach discover and select credibleforeign-based players for the senior national team. Some football followers have criticized the Franco-German manager forhis preference for foreign-based players and his continued stay in Europe when Super Eagles matches are played in Nigeria. Rohr is also accused of not helping to develop the domestic league with his vast experience in African football unlike his counterpart in Cameroon, who monitors happenings in the country's local scene. Some of the criticism is that Rohr's stay in Europe scouting for players of Nigerian descent has yielded little result. It has also been argued that funds used in camping the team in France before the disastrous AFCON qualifier against South Africa would have served the country better if the team trained in Nigeria bef...