Category: Sports

Abakaliki FC chairman Senator Obinna Ogba, urged his players to keep morale high as the club pushes for promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League this season.

Ogba, who visited the team ahead of its next league match, said the squad’s target is “nothing less than a proceed to NPFL.

He praised the players for their performance on the first half of the Nigeria National League, NNL.

Abakaliki FC sits third in Conference with 12 points.

“I want to commend you all for your performance so far in the league and I equally enjoined you all to keep the morale high because we are not settling for anything other than a proceed to NPFL,” Ogba told the team.

Abakaliki FC finished as runners‑up in the President Federation Cup last season and now eyes a promotion spot.

The club’s next game is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, against First Bank FC at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium.

The match will be a key test as Abakaliki FC looks to maintain its push for the top two places that guarantee promotion playoff.

NNL: Abakaliki FC Chairman Ogba urges players to aim for NPFL promotion

Nigeria midfielder, Raphael Onyedika has given his consent to a big money move to Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray, DAILY POST reports.

Galatasaray have been courting the Club Brugge star for the past two years.

The Yellow and Reds came close to signing Onyedika last summer but Club Brugge blocked the move.

The 24-year-old has now told Galatasaray he is open to joining them in January if they can reach agreement with Club Brugge, according to reports emanating from Turkey.

Club Brugge are expected to demand around €25m for the defensive midfielder.

Galatasaray however value Onyedika around €15m.

Okan Buruk’s side have also been linked with another Nigerian star, Ademola Lookman.

Transfer: Onyedika says ‘yes’ to Galatasaray move 

Former Barcelona winger, Emmanuel Amunike, has tipped Nigeria to win the 2025 AFCON title with Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen guiding the Super Eagles to victory in Morocco.

The 55-year-old also urged Eric Chelle’s side to fight hard to secure the trophy with great performances and not by talking with mouth.

“When I look back at [Victor] Osimhen, the same character he’s demonstrating as a leader is what he has done over the years,” Amunike told Victor Modo.

“I am glad, and I’d love to see Osimhen win the AFCON with his group, but they’ve to win it by fighting and earning it, not by talking.”

The Super Eagles of Nigeria finished runner-up in the last AFCON competition in Ivory Coast.

Under their former head coach, Jose Peseiro, the Eagles lost 2-1 to Cote D’ivoire.

AFCON: They’ve to fight – Ex-Barcelona winger, Amunike on team to win trophy

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has dismissed rumours it has sanctioned free entry for fans at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

There were reports that CAF, in conjunction with the Local Organsing Committee, LOC, has ordered free entry for fans due to low turn out at different stadia.

Only the games involving the hosts have witnessed large turnouts.

CAF said all tickets for the games will continue to be sold until the end of the competition.

Action will continue in the competition on Saturday with four matches.

The Super Eagles will be in action against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.

AFCON 2025: CAF debunks rumours of free entries to stadia 

Nigerian coach, Eric Chelle has said he believes the Africa Cup of Nations has grown to be better than than leagues in Europe.

According to the former Mali coach, Africa just needs to develop their coaches to match the standard out there in Europe and the world.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Chelle called for more seriousness in the way football is handled in Africa.

“We have to create our own identity. For me, this AFCON is better than the league in Europe. This is great,” he said.

A win for Eric Chelle’s side means they will become leaders of their group and also book their place in the knockout stages.

Nigeria will be depending on the likes of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze and Akor Adams to produce results on Saturday.

In their opening game against Tanzania, it was Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman that produced the goals as Osimhen wasted some scoring opportunities.

AFCON better than leagues in Europe – Eric Chelle

Radio presenter, Alex Crook has advised Premier League clubs including Chelsea on signing Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen.

Crook disclosed that the Nigerian international is perfectly suited for the Premier League, noting that he netted an impressive 37 goals last season.

Despite being linked with top clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United, Osimhen was unable to secure a transfer to any of them last summer.

Ultimately, the 26-year-old made the move to Galatasaray on a permanent deal from Napoli.

“Victor Osimhen scored thirty-seven goals in 41 games last season on loan at Galatasaray. He has eleven goals in 15 games this season,” Crook told talkSPORT.

“He looks ready-made for the Premier League. I am surprised that nobody went for him. He is only 26.”

EPL: He’s ready-made – Crooks advises Chelsea, others on signing Osimhen

Mali’s Boubou Traore will be at the centre when the Super Eagles take on Tunisia in a Group C fixture at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, DAILY POST reports.

The highly anticipated encounter is slated for the Complexe Sportif de Fès.

Boubou, 34, is one of the highly experienced arbiters in Africa.

CAF also confirmed the appointment of Senegal’s Issa Sy as Video Assistant Referee, VAR, for the game.

Nigeria and Tunisia will be targeting a win in the encounter to secure their passage into the Round of 16.

The two former champions won their first games against Tanzania and Uganda respectively.

The game will kick-off at 9pm Nigerian time.

AFCON 2025: Traore to officiate Super Eagles vs Tunisia 

Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has expressed his admiration for Akor Adams following his display during Nigeria’s 2–1 victory over Tanzania at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, this week.

Oliseh noted that the Sevilla striker displayed an exceptional presence throughout the match against Tanzania.

Speaking as a commentator during AfroSports’ coverage of AFCON 2025, Oliseh said, “I’m Impressed with Akor Adams’ performance against Tanzania. He was all over the pitch trying to make things happen for the Super Eagles.”

Goals from Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman, one in each half, secured the Super Eagles’ victory over Tanzania in Morocco.

AFCON: He was everywhere – Oliseh on Super Eagles player who impressed him

Gombe United will embark on a 12-day break following the conclusion of the first stanza of the season.
The mid-season break begins on Wednesday, December 24, 2026.

The players and officials will resume preparations for the second stanza on Sunday, January 4.

Gombe United currently occupy third position on the league table with 11 points.
The Savannah Scorpions last faced Jigawa Golden Stars in a league fixture at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe.

The match was abandoned in the final minute of the encounter following crowd trouble.
DAILY POST reports that Gombe United have been fined N2.5m by the league body over the incident.

The club has until 9 January 2026 to pay the fine or forfeit three points and three goals to Jigawa Golden Stars.

NNL: Gombe United embark on 12-day festive break

Nine-time Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, champions Enyimba will officially announce Deji Ayeni as their new technical adviser next week.

The People’s Elephant suspended their erstwhile technical adviser, Stanley Eguma, in November due to poor results.

Lawrence Ukaegbu has managed the Aba giants in interim capacity since Eguma’s suspension.

Ayeni will now step in into the role for the second stanza of the 2025/26 season.

The 53-year-old last managed Nigeria National League, NNL, outfit, Crown FC of Ogbomosho.

He has also worked with other top clubs including Sunshine Stars and Akwa United.

NPFL: Enyimba to unveil Ayeni as technical adviser next week