NIGERIAN FOOTBALL HUNTED BY THE GHOST OF CORRUPTION, IMPUNITY AND HYPOCRISY- SOLOMON DALUNG When I assumed office as Minister in November 2015 wearing my khaki and red beret, the general consensus within the sports family was that a complete novice had arrived the scene. My unassuming appearance convinced many stakeholders that it would be business as usual. But unknown to them, I had been deeply familiar with the sports ecosystem long before stepping into the Ministry. As far back as 2002, I was part of the Federal Government Delegation to the African Cup of Nations in Mali, where I witnessed…
Author: Abdulgafar Oladimeji
Abdulgafar Oladimeji
Abdulgafar Oladimeji is a sports writer with over two decades experience in the industry. As a reporter , he has worked with top major Nigerian newspapers, freelancer with newspaper and broadcast media organizations in Africa, Europe and America. He is a well travelled sports journalists reporting major sports events across the globe.
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How the NFF & NSC Contrived to take the Oxygen Mask of a recuperating Super Eagles – Chinedum Ohanusi Not long ago, I mean in the days of Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi and even Alhaji Aminu Maigari; the unthinkable mishap that happened in Rabat Morocco, where the entire players and officials of the Super Eagles, contrived to sit out training sessions, before two crucial games, in protest of unpaid match bonuses etc, would have been deemed impossible, and sacrilegious! Having been given a second chance to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and with the Presidency showing more desire…
KENNEDY CENTER SET TO HOST 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP DRAWS , DEC 5 By Abdulgafar Oladimeji The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has stated that it is ready to play host to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final draws slated for Friday, December 5, 2025. The centre expressed its readiness to accommodate the world soccer community describing itself as America’s cultural center and national hub for all-star entertainment. Saying the event will afford national teams that have berth their place to discover their group opponents in “ thebiggest sporting event in history — the first-ever 48-team FIFA…
FIFA World Cup 2026: End of The Road For Nigeria By Abdulgafar Oladimeji The Super Eagles of Nigeria have failed to advance their quest to secure a place at the final playoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After Nigeria succumbed 4-3 on penalties to DR Congo in Rabat on Sunday night. The match ended 1-1 at the end of regulation time at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium, the contest carried a single, stark prize: a place at the six-team play-off tournament in Guadalajara and Monterrey, where two World Cup berths will be decided. Nigeria’s Frank Onyeka put…
FIFA uncovers over 65,000 abusive football posts , football must be safe says Infantino To mark the International Day for Tolerance, FIFA has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting respect and inclusion by issuing a reminder that hate and discrimination have no place in football. As part of its efforts in this area, FIFA said it has enhanced its Social Media Protection Service (SMPS), which is available to all players, teams and officials at FIFA tournaments, as well as to FIFA Member Associations (MAs), all year round. Since the launch of the SMPS in 2022, more than 65,000 abusive posts have…
2026 FIFA World Cup Play-off Final: D :Day in Africa, Nigeria vs DRC show down By Abdulgafar Oladimeji The Super Eagles of Nigeria will confront the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff final today at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay El Hassan. in Rabat , Morocco. The mtch would be played by 8pm offcila sources have confirmed. The Super Eagles thrashed Gabon in the first semi finals of the playoff to set up the final clash against the Leopards, who had pipped the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon by an slim lone goal…
US soccer league to introduce new calendar The United States Major League, MLS Soccer will in the summer of 2007 align its competition calendar with the world’s top football leagues. The MLS will shift from a spring-to-fall calendar to a summer-to-spring season format same with top European top leagues. The new changes is been discussed with the Major League Soccer Players Association for adoption by critical parties. The league in a press release said that the 2027/28 MLS regular season will kick off in mid-to-late July 2027 and conclude with the MLS Cup Playoff final in late May 2028. The…
DG NIS , Philip Shaibu vows to implement 10 years road map The Director General , National Institute for Sports (NIS) Philip Shuaibu has pledged to implement the recommendations of the 10-Year Road Map for the revitalization of Nigerian Sports. He made the vow last Tuesday in Abuja, during the presentation of the report by the committee chaired by Musa Kida. The 32-man Advisory Committee was inaugurated in July, 2025, Shaibu commended the committee for its dedication and the comprehensive work carried out , assuring that the recommendations would not be shelved . He said “I want to thank the…
Saudi Arabia hosts FIFAe World Cup Finals , Starting 10 December The FIFAe Finals 25 will see the best national teams compete against each other on the world stage in Riyadh, promising elite-level gameplay, dramatic rivalries, and unforgettable moments as football esports’ biggest stars chase global glory. The FIFAe Finals 25 will take place from 10 to 19 December in Riyadh. The FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball Console and the FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball Mobile will run from 10 to 13 December. The FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League will run from 15 to 19 December. The final day…
FIFA introduces world Peace Prize award , winner to be decorated DC 5, in Washington DC FIFA has announced the introduction of the “FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World” to reward individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world. The “FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World” will be bestowed on behalf of all football-loving people from all around the world – more than five billion of the world’s population. With their daily actions in and for football, all these people contribute to FIFA’s motto…
