Category: Sports

The Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, has announced a temporary suspension of the ongoing 2025-26 league season.

The decision was reached following a petition to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, by one of the clubs affected by the ongoing U-20 national team camping.

The club has seen more than five of its players called up, thereby compromising its ability to compete fairly.

The NWFL is expected to resume on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.

The NWFL stated this in a memo signed by the Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi and sent to all the participating clubs on Thursday.

According to the memo, only a one-week mid-season break will be observed, clubs have also been provided with updated fixtures reflecting the revised timeline and are expected to comply accordingly.

Bayelsa Queens and FC Robo Queens are top of the NWFL Group A and B respectively.

NWFL postpones 2025-26 season

Nigerian striker, Salim Fago Lawal is closing in on a transfer to Azerbaijani giants Qarabağ FK, DAILY POST reports.

Lawal’s Croatian club, NK Istra 1961 will earn €2m as transfer fee, according to multiple reports.

The move is expected to be finalised in the next couple of days.

The 23-year-old joined NK Istra from Mavlon Academy less than two years ago.

Lawal has registered five goals and two assists in 19 appearances across all competitions for NK Istra this season.

The forward was part of the Super Eagles’ squad to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, making one appearance at the competition.

He also once represented Nigeria at the U-20 level.

Transfer: Super Eagles new boy set to join Qarabag from NK Istra 

The four countries with the best defense during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, tournament in Morocco have been confirmed.

Recall that the 2025 AFCON was recently concluded in Morocco last Sunday.

Senegal was crowned champions after beating the Atlas Lions 1-0 in the AFCON final, thanks to Pape Gueye’s only goal of the encounter.

However, in a post on CAF’s website, the countries with the best defense are Morocco, Comoros, DR Congo and Senegal.

The four teams conceded only two goals each during the tournament.

Morocco and Senegal reached the AFCON final, while DR Congo was eliminated from the tournament in the Round of 16 at the hands of Algeria.

Comoros, meanwhile, could not make it out from the group stage as they crashed out after recording only two points from three matches in Group A.

AFCON 2025: Four countries with the best defense confirmed

Ludogorets midfielder, Petar Stanić is the current leading top scorer in the UEFA Europa League following the conclusion of this week’s matches.

Stanić has six goals to his name so far in the competition.

He failed to extend his tally during his side’s 1-0 defeat to Rangers on Thursday.

Stanić is ahead of the likes of Dion Beljo, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, and Hamza Igamane on the goal chart.

Here are the top scorers in the Europa League so far:

6 goals – Petar Stanić (Ludogorets), 4 goals –  Dion Beljo (GNK Dinamo), Kerem Aktürkoğlu (Fenerbahçe), Hamza Igamane (Lille), Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest), Karol Świderski (Panathinaikos), Talisca (Fenerbahçe), Corentin Tolisso (Lyon) and Barnabás Varga (Ferencváros) and Anass Zaroury (Panathinaikos).

Europa League top scorers after this week’s matches

Raphael Onyedika is eager to leave Belgian Pro League outfit, Club Brugge before the end of the current transfer window, DAILY POST reports.

Turkish Super Lig champions, Galatasaray have keen interest in the defensive midfielder, and have reportedly agreed personal terms with his representatives.

A million euros a year salary is also on the table for Onyedika.

Club Brugge have, however, rejected Galatasaray’s bid  for the Nigeria international.

They are desperate to keep the 24-year-old until the end of the season, according to Voetbalkrant.

Onyedika, who has one year and a half left on his contract, joined Brugge from Danish outfit, FC Midtylland in 2022.

Onyedika pushing to leave Club Brugge 

Rivers United technical adviser, Finidi George, has acknowledged the quality of Zambian side Power Dynamos ahead of their CAF Champions League matchday three fixture.

The Pride of Rivers will do battle with Power Dynamos at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola on Saturday.

Finidi said he is looking forward to an interesting game against the Kitwe side.

“A team that is in the group stage of the CAF Champions League it shows they are a good side,” Finidi told the club’s media.

“We expect an interesting encounter against them on Saturday.”

Rivers United will trade tackles with Power Dynamos in the reverse fixture in Uyo a week later.

CAFCL: Rivers United battle ready for Dynamos clash – Finidi

Wolverhampton Wanderers have established contacts with FC Basel for winger Philip Otele, DAILY POST reports.

Otele is said to be keen on a move to the Premier League.

Basel are demanding £7m to sell the Nigerian, according to the BBC.

Wolves have, however, explored a loan‑with‑option structure that would include a loan fee.

Scottish Premiership giants Celtic and, Serie A club Lazio are also reportedly interested in the player.

Otele linked up with Basel from UAE’s Al Wahda last year.

He has scored 17 goals and registered seven assists in 51 appearances for the reigning Swiss Super League champions since his arrival at the club.

Transfer: Wolves explore loan move for Nigerian winger 

Sumaila Marwa Keshi has been sacked by Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, side Delta Queens.

Keshi’s dismissal was confirmed in a statement released by the Delta State Sports Commission on Wednesday.

According to reports, Keshi was sacked over allegations of bullying and unprofessional conduct.

The state Sports Commission said the coach’s behaviour was harmful to the progress of the team.

Keshi’s dismissal takes immediate effect.

Delta Queens suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Abia Angels on Wednesday in Asaba.

They have recorded three wins one draw and three defeats in the NWFL this season.

NWFL: Delta Queens sack head coach Keshi

Super Eagles striker, Akor Adams superb strike against the Desert Foxes of Algeria has been named among the the top five goals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Akor scored Nigeria’s second goal in the thrilling 2-0 quarter-final victory over Vladimir Petković’s side.

The Sevilla hitman was teed up by Victor Osimhen, and he dribbled past Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, before firing the ball into the net.

It was the forward’s second goal of the tournament.

Akor was one of the top performers for the Super Eagles in the competition.

Morocco’s Ayoub El Kaabi, Cameroon striker Christian Kofane, Adil Boulbinan of Algeria, and Senegal’s Pape Gueye are the other players, who have their goals listed in the top five.

AFCON 2025: Adams’ goal named among CAF’s top five

Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen has named the two Nigerian players he spoke with to join the Turkish Super Lig champions amid the ongoing January transfer window.

Osimhen wants his Super Eagles teammates Ademola Lookman and Raphael Onyedika to consider making the move to Galatasaray this year amid the ongoing January transfer window.

“I spoke with [Raphael Onyedika] and [Ademola] Lookman. I explained Galatasaray and Turkey to them in detail, how wonderful a club Galatasaray is, how beautiful a country Turkey is,” Osimhen said as quoted by Habersarikirmizi.

“It would be very good for our club, for the players, and for our fans if they came.

“I’m trying to convince both of them. I’d love for them to come to one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

Onyedika currently plays his club football for Club Brugge, while Lookman plays for Atalanta.

Transfer: Osimhen names two Nigerian players he spoke with to join Galatasaray