Category: Sports

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday said the sins of the Super Eagles have been forgiven.

Wike disclosed that former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, informed him that the Nigerian team have vowed to qualify for the next World Cup.

He spoke during the official Commissioning of the Collector Roads 01 and 02 to link Mabushi Bus Terminal and Ahmadu Bello way in Mabushi District of the FCT.

Wike said, “Let me particularly greet our friends who in their own days made Nigeria proud, Joseph Yobo and Emmanuel Babayaro.

“I want to announce to this audience that Yobo told me yesterday that he has communicated our message to the Super Eagles and they have told him that this would be the last time such a mistake would occur.

“That the subsequent World Cup, Nigeria would be there, so their sins have been forgiven.”

World Cup 2026: Your sins forgiven – Wike tells Super Eagles

Nigeria goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali,, has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, DAILY POST reports.

According to the South African news outlet, soccerladuma.co.za, a club in Saudi Arabia has a keen interest in Nwabali.

Clubs in Israel had been monitoring the shot stopper’s situation but he is now set for a move to Saudi Arabia.

The deal is expected to be finalised before the start of the new season.

Nwabali has been without a club since leaving South African club Chippa United in February.

The 30-year-old is now set to get his career back on track after a few months of inactivity.

Transfer: Nwabali set to join Saudi club

Sporting Lagos has completed the signing of midfielder Valentine Ugwu for the 2026-27 season, DAILY POST reports.

The midfielder joined Sporting Lagos from Abia Warriors.

Ugwu’s arrival adds depth to Sporting Lagos’ midfield ahead of the new Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, season.

Ugwu netted once in 14 NPFL appearances for Abia Warriors last season.

Sporting Lagos are expected to strengthen their squad with more new players to compete favourably in the NPFL.

They are making a return to the NPFL after few years in the Nigeria National League, NNL.

NPFL: Sporting Lagos sign Ugwu from Abia Warriors

Sevilla have rejected an offer from Serie A new boys Venezia for Akor Adams, DAILY POST reports.

The bid, according to transferfeed, was under €10 million.

Sevilla are demanding a fee between €20 and €30 million for the Nigerian international.

The Rojiblancos signed Adams from Ligue 1 club Montpellier for €6 million in January 2025.

Ligue 1 giants Olympic Marseille are also reportedly interested in the striker.

Adams registered 10 goals, and three assists in 32 appearances for Sevilla last season.

The 26-year-old has three years left on his contract with the club.

Transfer: Sevilla rejects Venezia’s bid for Adams

Former France striker, Thierry Henry, has singled out five African countries for special praise amid the ongoing FIFA World Cup tournament.

Henry said it’s nice what the likes of South Africa, Ghana, Cape Verde, Morocco and Ivory Coast are doing at the World Cup.

The Arsenal legend spoke on Fox after Ivory Coast defeated Curacao 2-0 in their final game encounter on Thursday to qualify for the Round of 32 knockout stage.

“We have to give a shout-out to the African teams. South Africa, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cape Verde and Morocco,” Henry said.

“It’s nice to see what the African teams are doing in this tournament.”

When asked by former Sweden striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, if “the World Cup for the African team?”

Henry responded, “We will see.”

World Cup: ‘Nice what they’re doing’ – Thierry Henry singles out five African countries

West Ham United have joined the chase for Super Eagles defender Chibuike Nwaiwu, DAILY POST reports.

Fulham are reportedly leading the race for the centre-back, but the Hammers have now registered their interest.

West Ham have seen a €30 million bid for the player rejected by Trabzonspor, according to Taka Gazete.

Trabzonspor have also rejected two bids from Fulham for Nwaiwu.

The Black Sea Storm are, however, holding out for €35 million to sell the Nigeria international.

Nwaiwu joined Trabzonspor from Austrian club Wolfsberger AC in January.

The 22-year-old registered three goals, and one assist in 16 league appearances for the Claret and Blues in the second half of last season.

Transfer: West Ham United join Nwaiwu chase 

Real Madrid manager, Jose Mourinho, has said he wants the players in his squad to get eliminated from the 2026 World Cup, so he could work with them in preseason.

Mourinho was speaking on the BeastModeOn podcast.

Madrid have players like Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Aurelien Tchouameni, Antonio Rudiger, Marc Cucurella, amongst others at the tournament.

With most of them looking likely to go far in the competition, it might leave Mourinho with little time to prepare for the new season.

““What am I looking forward to in the World Cup? I want Real Madrid players to lose.

“Because I want them back for pre-season with me in July!”

2026 World Cup: I want Real Madrid players to lose – Mourinho

Marco Palestra is set to undergo medical checks on Friday, as he continues to finalize his transfer from Atalanta to Chelsea.

Both clubs have already agreed a package over €55m fee plus sell-on clause.

Palestra will then put pen to paper on a contract until 2033 with the Premier League side.

Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, wrote on X: “Marco Palestra will undergo medical in London on Friday as new Chelsea player.

“Travelling to England to seal move from Atalanta as Palestra will sign contract until June 2032 plus option until 2033.”

Romano also confirmed that Manchester United have reached an agreement with Trabzonspor over another loan deal for Andre Onana.

Onana spent last season with the Turkish side and will not be part of Michael Carrick’s plans next season.

“André Onana to Trabzonspor, here we go,” Romano wrote.

“New loan deal verbally agreed as Onana is not part of #MUFC plan for next season and Trabzon are ready to re-sign him.

“Trabzonspor to pay loan fee to United as details being sorted then done, as @yagosabuncuoglu reports.”

Transfer: Palestra to undergo Chelsea medicals as Onana agrees deal to leave Man Utd

Super Falcons defender, Ashleigh Plumptre, has dismissed claims that she is planning to dump the national team, over alleged demands by officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

This follows a viral social media post from a Facebook page in her name that Plumptre has insisted is “fake”.

She has claimed that it is the handiwork of conmen, who are also soliciting money from unsuspecting Nigerians.

“I want to make it clear that I never made those comments and I have never asked anyone for money.

“The Facebook account circulating those claims is fake, and the people behind it are trying to deceive and exploit Nigerians,” Plumptre said.

Plumptre also stressed that she never made such comments and has never asked anyone for money.

She disclosed that law enforcement agencies have been notified and are working to identify those behind the impersonation, while efforts are underway to have the fake Facebook account taken down.

“We are taking the necessary steps to report the account and bring those responsible to justice. I urge everyone to ignore the posts and remain vigilant against online scammers,” she added.

Plumptre urged fans to ignore the fraudulent posts and remain vigilant against online scammers using her identity.

WAFCON: Plumptre clears air on dumping Super Falcons over demands from NFF officials

Real Madrid manager, Jose Mourinho, is tipping his native Portugal and England as favourites to win the 2026 World Cup.

Portugal are on the brink of qualifying for the Round of 32.

Following a 1-1 draw with DR Congo, Cristiano Ronaldo and co bounced back to thrash Uzbekistan 5-0 in their second group game.

They only need a point against Colombia to be assured of a spot in the knockouts.

England opened their campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, before they were held to a 0-0 draw by Ghana.

“They should [go all the way and win the World Cup]. They are not alone. Of course there are other [contenders],” Mourinho told Adebayo Akinfenwa on the Beast Mode On Podcast, when asked about Portugal.

“I always say England [will be in contention to make the final]. I look to the players, and we come from that generation, [Frank] Lampard, [Steven] Gerrard, [John] Terry, [Rio] Ferdinand, [David] Beckham. Since then, I always say England, and then it doesn’t happen, but I always say England.”

2026 World Cup: Mourinho picks two favourites to win trophy as Round of 32 looms