Category: Sports

Super Eagles defender Igoh Ogbu is set to be sidelined for a lengthy spell due to injury, DAILY POST reports.

Ogbu ruptured his Achilles tendon during training with the Super Eagles in Lisbon on Saturday.

Super Eagles media officer, Promise Efoghe, revealed this on Sunday, saying the 26-year-old will undergo a scan to ascertain the severity of the injury.

According to SCORENigeria, the centre-back will be out of action for at least nine months.

Ogbu featured at the invitational Unity Cup in London as well as the friendly against Poland, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

He was part of the Super Eagles squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Super Eagles: Ogbu set for lengthy injury layoff

Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied entry to the United States.

It was not immediately clear why Artan was barred from entering the US at Miami International Airport but Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration.

“Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community,” Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, told AFP.

Artan had a valid visa for the US, Abshir said. He has flown back to Istanbul, where he has been staying.

“Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play,” Abshir added.

2026 World Cup: African referee denied entry to US due to Trump’s order

The Brazilian Football Confederation on Monday released a statement regarding forward Neymar’s condition ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament this week.

Neymar’s World Cup hopes have been given a boost after Brazil announced that the 34-year-old was making “good progress” in his recovery from a calf injury.

The Santos forward was expected to be sidelined for between two and three weeks after scans last month revealed a grade two muscle tear.

He had a further scan on Monday, and the Brazilian Football Confederation said in a brief statement: “The exam showed good progress in his treatment, within expected parameters.

“He will continue the recovery and physical preparation process planned by the Brazilian National Team’s medical staff.”

Neymar has already missed Brazil’s two warm-up friendlies against Panama and Egypt.

World Cup 2026: Brazil releases statement on Neymar’s condition

New Real Madrid manager, Jose Mourinho, is eyeing two players from the Premier League.

Mourinho told senior officials at the Spanish club that the team’s defence is their weakness.

Marca reports that the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss wants to build a more solid, reliable defense with sufficient options to face a long season.

Mourinho strongly admires Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City) and Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), as he wants a defense capable of adapting to different scenarios.

His idea involves combining full-backs with complementary profiles: one with a more attacking focus and the other with a stronger defensive presence, a formula that allows him to modify the team’s formation and roles according to the needs of each match.

LaLiga: Mourinho tells Real Madrid to sign two Premier League players

African champions, Super Falcons thrashed Senegal 3-0 in their second friendly at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne on Monday.

Justine Madugu’s side recorded a 2-1 victory over their fellow West Africans in the first friendly last Friday.

The Super Falcons were wasteful in the first half, failing to convert their chances.

Washington Spirit forward Monday Gift had the first real chance of the game but her tame effort failed to trouble the Senegalese goalkeeper.

Two minutes later, Joy Omewa was played through on goal by captain Rasheedat Ajibade but her effort came off the upright.

The Super Falcons missed another great chance to go in front in the 32nd minute due to a lack of communication between Toni Payne and Ajibade.

The breakthrough came for Nigeria four minutes after the break with Omewa nodding home the curtain raiser.

Omewa got her second of the game with a cool finish in the 55th minute.

Nigeria made a double substitution in the 63rd minute, with Asisat Oshoala and Folashade Ijamilusi coming on to replace Rinsola Babajide and Omewa.

Oshoala was teed up by Ajibade for the home team’s third goal in the 66th minute.

The Super Falcons failed to add to their advantage despite creating more chances.

Friendly: Super Falcons outclass Senegal in dominant display

Manchester United legend, Gary Neville, has snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo while naming the club’s best-ever forward.

Neville played alongside great forwards, including Ronaldo, during his time at Old Trafford.

Speaking with his ex-teammate Rio Ferdinand during an appearance on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube show called ‘Rio Meets’, Neville named Wayne Rooney as the Red Devils’ best-ever forward.

According to him, Rooney could do everything on the pitch, including sprinting back to defend.

“He [Rooney] is the best Wazza. He was the best forward I ever saw at Manchester United,” Neville said.

“He was a mixture of Mark Hughes, Van Nistelrooy, Eric Cantona, Paul Scholes in the half turn, Dwight Yorke, he was a mixture of all the best players that were amazing.

“He could do all the things that they could do. He could drop in, he could pass, he could finish, he could head, left-foot, right-foot, could sprint back and defend.”

EPL: Gary Neville snubs Ronaldo, names Man Utd’s best-ever forward

Nasarawa Amazons rallied to beat defending Bayelsa Queens 2-1 in their second game at the ongoing Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, Super Six playoffs in Port Harcourt.

Both teams failed to hit target in a keenly contested first half despite creating a number of clear cut chances.

Bayelsa Queens went in front through Chiamaka Ezekwugo six minutes after the break.

Nasarawa Amazons fought back in the last 10 minutes of the game to claim maximum points.

Farikikyen Moses restored parity for Christopher Danjuma’s side in the 80th minute, while Ayatsea Hembafan sealed the victory with a stoppage time winner.

Nasarawa Amazons have six points from two games, while Bayelsa Queens have recorded one point from same number of matches.

NWFL playoff: Nasarawa Amazons floor Bayelsa Queens to maintain title push

Rangers General Manager, Amobi Ezeaku, has resigned from his post as the Secretary of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, Club Owners Association.

Ezeaku announced his resignation in a statement on Monday.

The young administrator described serving in the role as a profound honour and privilege.

Ezeaku said that the position afforded him the opportunity to work alongside club owners and administrators committed to the growth, development and sustainability of professional football in Nigeria.

He stated that despite stepping down, his resignation does not diminish his commitment to Nigerian football.

Ezeaku’s Rangers won a record-equalling ninth NPFL title at the end of the 2025-26 season.

DAILY POST reports that Enyimba have also won the same number of NPFL titles.

NPFL club owners association secretary Amobi Ezeaku resigns

Terem Moffi is determined to help Nigeria secure a win against Portugal, DAILY POST reports.

The Super Eagles will be up against Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday.

It will be the second meeting between both countries, with Portugal claiming a 4-0 victory in their first friendly four years ago.

Moffi has scored twice in his last two matches for the Super Eagles.

The 26-year-old is conversant with Portuguese football having spent the second half of the 2025/26 season on loan with FC Porto.

The 26-year-old promised to help the Super Eagles achieve victory on the night.

“I’ll try my best to lead the team as much as I can. I played in the Portuguese league and won the championship with FC Porto, although I only spent half a season there. I know a little about how the Portuguese national team play and how their players play,” Moffi told TVC News.

Friendly: Moffi eager to face Portugal, promises victory

Wikki Tourists has declared six players Absent Without Official Leave, AWOL, and notified the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, over their absence.

The Bauchi Elephants said the players failed to report for training and other official club engagements without authorization.

Wikki Tourists hinted that the absence constitutes a serious breach of professional conduct and contractual obligations.

The affected players are Abdullahi Pepe, Chizoba Okoh, Sani Ibrahim, Abubakar Ibrahim Aliyu, Ibrahim Shuaibu and Barhama Mansur.

Wikki Tourists stated that efforts to establish contact and secure their return to camp were unsuccessful.

The players have neither resumed duties nor provided satisfactory explanations for their absence.

Wikki Tourist reiterated its commitment to discipline, professionalism and excellence both on and off the field.

Wikki Tourists declare six players AWOL, notify NFF