World Cup 2026: Alan Shearer changes mind on country to win trophy

Former England striker, Alan Shearer, has changed his mind on the country to win this year’s World Cup.

Writing in his column for the BBC, Shearer backed England to win the World Cup after watching them eliminating co-host nation Mexico in the Round of 16 recently.

The Newcastle United legend, who had casted doubt about the England’s chanced of winning the World Cup, stated this ahead of Three Lions’ World Cup quarter-final with Norway on Saturday.

“There’s always hope with England at a major tournament, but that performance [against  Mexico] has pushed us all further forward and given everyone, including me, confidence and belief too.

“Before I went to the Azteca Stadium, and watched us deal with everything that was thrown at us, I didn’t truly believe England could win this World Cup – but I have changed my mind, and I think everyone else has too.”

World Cup 2026: Alan Shearer changes mind on country to win trophy

Transfer: French club Stade Reims set to sign Nigerian youngster

Nigerian youngster, John Otomewo is set to join French club Stade Reims from Israeli outfit Hapoel Jerusalem, DAILY POST reports.

Otomewo joined Hapoel Jerusalem in December 2025, graduating to the main team from the U-19 side.

The 19-year-old made 13 league appearances for Hapoel Jerusalem.

The defensive midfielder scored once in the State Cup.

Otomewo, who is valued at €2 million has two years left on his contract.

Stade Reims are targeting equality new additions that will help them push for promotion to Ligue 1 next season.

Transfer: French club Stade Reims set to sign Nigerian youngster

WAFCON 2026: CAF names Nigeria’s Akintoye among referees 

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has named Nigerian referee Yemisi Akintoye among the match officials for the upcoming 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, DAILY POST reports.

Akintoye became a FIFA-badged referee in 2021.

The arbiter earned the appointment after successfully completing CAF medical, physical fitness and technical assessments ahead of the competition.

It’s the first time she will be officiating at Africa’s biggest women’s competition.

Morocco will host the WAFCON 2026 finals from Sunday, 26 July to Sunday, 16 August.

The Super Falcons of Nigeria are the defending champions of the competition.

WAFCON 2026: CAF names Nigeria’s Akintoye among referees 

NWFL Championship kickoff with Group A double-header in Calabar

The 2026 Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, Championship is set begin with two Group A matches at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

First Mahi Babes will face Delta Babes FC in the opening fixture on Saturday. The game will kick-off at 9am.

DreamStars Ladies will take on Rosaria Victrix in the second Group A encounter. Kick-off is set at 11.30am.

Pelican Stars, Ikukuoma Queens, Moje Queens and Gallant Queens will compete in Group B.

Group C consist of Rangers Women, Unification Queens, Fortress Ladies and Wazbak International.

The matches mark the start of the race for promotion to the NWFL.

The U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar will host all Group A fixtures for the opening phase of the championship.

The 2026 Championship will feature clubs from across the country competing for promotion slots.

NWFL Championship kickoff with Group A double-header in Calabar

NLO: Kogi United announce end of season break

Kogi United have announced an end-of-season break for players and officials of the club.

The statement was issued after Kogi United’s management meeting in Lokoja.

According to the statement, the players could be recalled back from the break anytime.

The break period is to allow the team to rest, recover, and reflect after a demanding season.

DAILY POST reports that Kogi United missed out on promotion to the Nigeria National League, NLO.

Mighty Jets Feeders, Junior Danburam FC, DMD FC and Neurospark have all gained promotion to the Nigeria National League, NNL, from the Northern NLO play-off.

NLO: Kogi United announce end of season break

Transfer: Why I didn’t join Liverpool – Moses Simon

Super Eagles and Paris FC forward, Moses Simon, has revealed why he failed to join clubs in the English Premier League including Liverpool, Hull City, Fulham, Brighton, Tottenham, and Lyon.

He said this while disclosing the most significant regret of his professional career, stating that his ambition to secure a transfer between 2016 and 2018 adversely impacted his performance.

The Nigerian winger, who is among the longest-serving players in the Super Eagles squad, stated this during an exclusive interview with Urban Dwell Sport, where he reflected on his career journey, the mistakes he made, and the lessons he learned.

When asked if he had any regrets despite his achievements and longevity at the top level, Simon acknowledged having one major regret and expressed his desire to share this experience as guidance for younger footballers.

He stated to Urban Dwell Sport, “Yes, I have. And this is something I will share with young players, the younger generation. My regret as a professional player.

“Between 2016 and 2018, my form declined because I was focused on making a transfer. Liverpool expressed interest in signing me, along with Hull City, Fulham, Brighton, Tottenham, and Lyon. We faced them in the Europa League in 2017. However, when you read about these things in the newspapers, some are accurate while others are mere speculation.

“In the first year, I was unable to secure a transfer. The following year, I was meant to join Liverpool, but that did not materialize. Brighton also did not work out. I found myself thinking, ‘Is it the agent or the club? I don’t want to play.’ I was convincing myself: ‘Whether I play or I don’t play, it doesn’t matter,’ he confessed.

“I believed that if I didn’t play, the club would quickly find a way to sell me. The club acquired me for 1 million, but the amount they sought that year was 25 million after just one year,” he elaborated.

Transfer: Why I didn’t join Liverpool – Moses Simon

Transfer: Ugochukwu set to join Osimhen at Galatasaray

Burnley midfielder, Lesley Ugochukwu, is close to joining Galatasaray this summer.

The two clubs have been locked in negotiations and a deal is believed to be close.

This was revealed by football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, on X.

Romano wrote: “Galatasaray are confident to get Lesley Ugochukwu deal done in the next days with new official bid to follow.

“Agreement done with the player and getting closer with Burnley.”

If completed, the move will see Nigerian-born Ugochukwu link up with Victor Osimhen at the Turkish giants.

Transfer: Ugochukwu set to join Osimhen at Galatasaray

NPFL: Falolu close in on Rangers move

Azeez Falolu is on the verge of securing a move to Rangers for the 2026-27 season, DAILY POST reports.

According to reports, Falolu has agreed personal terms with the Flying Antelopes.

Rangers tactician Fidelis Ilechukwu is reported to be an admirer of the midfielder.

Falolu’s arrival would add creativity to Rangers’ midfield next season.

The midfielder has netted 14 goals in 88 appearances for Katsina United since 2023.

Katsina United are yet to comment on the purported transfer.

NPFL: Falolu close in on Rangers move

NLO: Enyimba Stadium to host South-South,South-East promotion playoffs

The Nationwide League One, NLO, has confirmed the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba as hosts for the 2026 Promotion playoffs for the South-South and South-East.

The playoffs will run from Wednesday July 29th to Sunday August 2nd.

The NLO Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Olushola Ogunnowo, disclosed this in a communique on Thursday.

Ogunnowo urged the Abia State Football Association to ensure a smooth, highly competitive, and well-organised tournament.

The five-day playoffs involving both the South-South and South-East zones will be held simultaneously at the designated centres.

The NLO said it will enforce a zero-tolerance policy for indiscipline, late arrivals, or failure to produce valid player licenses.

Mighty Jets Feeders FC , Neurospark FC, DMD FC and Junior Danburam FC have all gained promotion to the Nigeria National League, NNL, from the Northern NLO playoffs.

NLO: Enyimba Stadium to host South-South,South-East promotion playoffs

World Cup: ‘Uneducated, stupid’ – Simon Jordan slams Egypt coach, Hassan over rigging claim 

Former Crystal Palace owner, Simon Jordan, has slammed Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan and supporters who asserted that FIFA has rigged the 2026 World Cup in favour of Lionel Messi and Argentina.

The pundit contended that the Egypt manager’s comment following the Pharaohs’ 3-2 loss to Argentina were misguided.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Jordan stated that such theories lack foundation and are merely excuses. He expressed skepticism regarding the intelligence of those who subscribe to these theories, asserting:

He said “Of course it is a stupid comment. It’s an uninformed, uneducated, unsubstantiated claim, with no empirical evidence. It’s an uneducated view. You can’t detail something is fixed unless you know it to be the case! It’s a stupid comment because it isn’t seeded in anything. What the debate is about whether people should be able to say these sort of things and whether the consequences of these things should be far-reaching.”

Jordan further criticized Hossam Hassan, admonishing the Egypt manager for his remarks, adding, “Once you have settled into the role of a manager, it is true that you cannot entirely eliminate emotion from situations, but you can learn to manage your emotions… If you are an experienced manager and you are aware that interviews will follow the game, you understand what is expected of you, what you should say, and what you should refrain from saying…”

“At that point, you should be capable of controlling your words! Regardless of your emotions, this is not your first experience. You are not inexperienced.

“You can manage these situations. While it may be easy to say from the sidelines, I have faced numerous high-pressure situations in life, business, and sports, where I knew what I should do, could do, and would do…”

Hassan alleged that FIFA is doing everything possible to ensure that Lionel Messi and Argentina remain in the World Cup for financial gain.

World Cup: ‘Uneducated, stupid’ – Simon Jordan slams Egypt coach, Hassan over rigging claim 

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