Category: Sports

New Real Madrid signing, Marc Cucurella, has said he would have no problem doing the “dirty work” of defending for Vinicius Junior.

Cucurella completed a €55 million move from Chelsea to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Spaniard’s arrival is how he will link up with Vinicius Jr on the left side of the pitch.

Cucurella has now vowed to help keep the Brazilian fresh to do damage in attack.

He told Marca: “I think we’ll get along well. I don’t care if he doesn’t track back, I’ll do everything he doesn’t want to do.

“As long as he’s decisive and fresh enough to score goals, I’ll do the dirty work. Vinicius has shown that he’s a key and influential player in Real Madrid’s Champions League campaigns.”

LaLiga: I’ll do Vinicius Jr’s dirty work at Real Madrid – Cucurella

The Nationwide League One (NLO) has named Nasarawa, Yobe and Jigawa states as hosts of the 2026 Division One promotional playoffs, DAILY POST reports.

The playoffs will run from Thursday, July 2, to Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

Four clubs from the Northern Zone will earn promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL).

Sixteen teams advanced from the NLO league round, with the teams placed into four zones.

North-Central Zone 1 features Mighty Jets Feeders FC, Bida Lions FC, La-Planet FC and Flight FC, while North-Central Zone 2 includes Mailantarki Care FC, Neurospark FC, Police Machine FC and Kogi United.

The North-East Zone will feature FC Yarmalight, DMD FC, Makwanda Warriors FC and Warinje FC, while the North-West Zone comprises Musa FC, Katsina United Jnr, Zamfara United and Jnr Danburam FC.

The August 27 Stadium in Dutse, Dutse Stadium and Lafia Township Stadium will host the matches, with each venue assigned to a specific zone.

According to the league organisers, the matches will run concurrently across the zones to maintain competitiveness and efficiency.

The NLO announced a zero-tolerance policy for indiscipline, late arrivals and missing player licences, and urged State FAs to enforce compliance and fair play.

NLO confirms Nasarawa, Yobe, Jigawa as hosts for Northern zone promotional playoffs

Ekiti United is set to announce Jacob Vandi as their new head coach ahead of the 2026-27 Nigeria National League, NNL, season.

Vandi has been identified as a replacement for Idris Bolarinwa, who recently left the club.

Bolarinwa left the club after guiding Ekiti United to third position in the NNL Conference B last season.

The club is expected to unveil Vandi in the coming days as they prepare for the new campaign.

Bolarinwa’s exit came as a surprise to supporters of the club after he led the team to one of its position in the table in recent years.

The new coach will be tasked with building on last season’s performance as Ekiti United target promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

NNL: Ekiti United set to name Vandi new head coach 

Clinton Jephta has completed a permanent transfer to Finnish side FC Inter Turku after a successful loan spell at the club.

Jephta joined the Veikkausliiga club from Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side Niger Tornadoes.

The former Flying Eagles winger signed a contract until 2028.

Jephta registered two goals with four assists during his loan spell with Inter Turku.

The move marks Jephta’s first full transfer to Europe as he continues his development in Finland’s top-flight.

Jephta a member of the Flying Eagles squad to the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

Transfer: Jephta joins Finnish club FC Inter Turku on permanent deal after successful loan spell

Ranchers Bees have announced the appointment of Usman Abd’Allah as their new head coach, DAILY POST reports.

Abd’Allah signed a two-year contract with the newly promoted Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side.

The 51-year-old briefly managed Remo Stars last season, failing to help escape relegation.

Abd’Allah is one of the highly respected coaches in the Nigerian top-flight.

He boasts an impressive résumé that includes a league title with Enyimba in the 2018/19 season and spells with Kano Pillars, Katsina United, and Beninoise club USCN Cavaliers.

Ranchers Bees secured promotion to the NPFL after finishing top of the Nigeria National League, NNL, Conference D last season.

NPFL: Abd’Allah takes over as Ranchers Bees head coach

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has expressed disappointment over Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Wike urged former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, to convey the feelings of Nigerians to the national team.

The minister stated that football remains a unifying force in the country and noted that many Nigerians were unhappy about the Super Eagles’ absence from the global tournament.

Speaking in Abuja, the minister said Nigerians expected more from the national team and hoped lessons would be learned to ensure qualification for future international competitions.

Addressing Yobo, Wike said he should relay the concerns of football loving Nigerians to the players and technical crew, stressing that the country’s absence from the World Cup was disappointing for millions of supporters.

The minister, however, expressed confidence that the Super Eagles could bounce back stronger and reclaim their place among the world’s football elite.

Nigeria failed to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, extending the country’s wait for a return to football’s biggest stage after also missing the 2022 edition in Qatar.

Wike to Yobo: Tell Super Eagles Nigerians unhappy over World Cup absence

Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, has insisted that he doesn’t know if he would play for his country at the 2030 edition of the FIFA World Cup tournament.

The 39-year-old, however, said that he is only focused on the ongoing 2026 World Cup at the moment.

The Inter Miami forward has been impressive for Argentina so far at the World Cup.

Messi has scored five goals in two appearances for Argentina. He scored a hat-trick against Algeria and a brace against Austria.

When asked about playing at the 2030 World Cup, Messi said, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano: “I don’t know.

“The truth is, I am not thinking about that right now.

“It seems a bit far off… but, as I said, I am living one day at a time and focused on the present.”

2020 World Cup: Messi speaks on playing for Argentina

Nasarawa United have announced a 21-day off-season break for their players, technical crew and backroom staff following the conclusion of the 2025-26 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, season.

The break will run from Tuesday, June 23, 2026, to July 13, 2026.

Nasarawa United finished sixth in the NPFL last season.

The Solid Miners also reached the semi-final of the President Federation Cup, losing 4-2 on penalties to Ikorodu City FC after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Nasarawa United admitted that they failed to achieve their target for the season but assured that a review of the campaign is underway.

They insisted that their target for the 2026-27 season is to aim for title, and a continental ticket.

NPFL: Nasarawa United embark on 21-day break

Shooting Stars are eyeing a move for Haruna Hadi ahead of the 2026-27 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, season.

The Oluyole Warriors are reported to have submitted a bid to Remo Stars for the player.

Shooting Stars, however face stiff competition from Sporting Lagos for the striker.

Hadi remain a priced asset for Remo Stars following his exploits in the NPFL last season.

Shooting Stars are currently strengthening their squad ahead of the new campaign.

The Ibadan-based club finished in third position last season.

NPFL: Shooting Stars, Sporting Lagos battle for Haruna Hadi

Nigeria’s Flamingos continued their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Benin Republic with a dominant 11-0 win over RoyalToms Queens in a friendly at the Remo Stars Sports Complex.

It was the Flamingos’ last  friendly before the clash with the Young Amazons.

Harmony Chidi scored a hat-trick, while Kindness Ifeanyi was on target twice.

Queen Joseph, Mary Dunstan, Tobiloba Sarafa, Destiny Itobore, Precious Oscar, and Koasarat Olarenwaju were also on target for the Flamingos in the game.

Akeem Busari’s side will now shift attention to the first leg of the qualifiers against Benin Republic slated for the Remo Stars Sports Complex on Saturday, 4 July.

The reverse fixture will hold one week later  at the Stade de Kegue, Lome.

U-17 WWCQ: Flamingos thrash RoyalToms Queens 11-0 ahead Benin clash