Author: Abdulgafar Oladimeji

Nigerian sports journalists appoints Moses Andishu as national patron By Abdulgafar Oladimeji Nigerian sports journalists under the aegis of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN have conferred the status of national patron on Nigerian born UK based sports philanthropist Moses Andishu. The missive confirming the new status bequeathed on Mr Andishu, was presented to him, by the national president of the association, comrade Benjamin Isaiah during his 53rd birthday celebrations held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja . Comrade Isaiah described the honour as well deserved. According to him, Mr Andishu has been consistent in rendering support to the development…

Ousmane Dembélé becomes 6th French Ballon d’Or winner , after Benzema, Zidane, Platini Dembélé has become the sixth Frenchman to win the shiny Ballon d’Or award. The most recent before him was Karim Benzema, who won it in 2022 after leading Real Madrid to Champions League glory. Then it was the legendary midfielder Zinédine Zidane who won the Ballon d’Or in 1998 whilst at Juventus – the season he won the World Cup with France, scoring two in the final against Brazil. Former striker Jean-Pierre Papin won the award in 1991 whilst at Marseille, whilst icon Michel Platini won it…

FIFA MA referees course kicks off in Kenya The FIFA MA Elite Referees Course has kicked off in Nairobi, capital city of Kenya. The course is an four days intensive training programme for referees. The programme is been conducted by FIFA instructors in partnership with Football Federation Kenya, FKF. The course will focuses on upgrading the skills of elite referees and assistants through technical sessions, fitness tests, and analysis of the latest Laws of the Game to meet international standards.

Imo Striker Queens, Sunshine Queens to taste action in NWFL 2025/2026 season By Abdulgafar Oladimeji Four women’s football club have gained promotion to be on parade in the NWFL Premiership league in the coming new season in the Nigeria Women’s Football League, NWFL. The NWFL league in the coming new season will now feature Castmog Ladies, Ahudiyannem Queens ,Sunshine Queens and Imo Striker Queens The women club sides had gained their tickets to the top league , after competing in the NWFL Championship promotion playoffs held in Abiriba and Umuahia, Abia state. Chinedu Charles , Secretary, NWFL Premiership Media Directors…

Barça and African football legends charity match, Ronaldinho, Saviola, Okocha, Kanu, Fish others set to storm Abuja Barca legends and African players that have tasted football action at the global stages would converge in the Federal capital city of Nigeria to honour an charity match Our correspondent gathered that Attom Foundation, in partnership with ZMB Homes and WGI had organized the charity match with the motive to raise awareness on the importance of the empowerment of the girl child. The game is fixed to take place on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, with kick-off…

Nigeria’s president Tinubu promise to host 2030 Commonwealth Games By Abdulgafar Oladimeji Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC) has averred that the Federal Government is ready to host the first-ever Commonwealth Games to be hosted on African soil to be held in Nigeria in 2030. The director, press, National Sports Commission, Kehinde Ajayi, quoted NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko , while addressing members of the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee on visit to Abuja, had said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is sleepless to bring the Games to Africa for the first time, describing the effort as “a major step toward…

2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Race: Falconets return, head to Ibadan The victorious Nigeria U20 girls, Falconets, returned to the country from Kigali on Monday morning, after their 1-0 defeat of Rwanda’s She-Amavubi in a 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match on Sunday. Alaba Olabiyi struck with 20 minutes left of the encounter at the Kigali-Pele Stadium to give Nigeria victory and the advantage in the fixture, ahead of the return leg at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan on Saturday. Players and officials have headed to the Oyo State capital, to continue intensive preparations for Saturday’s final leg…

SWAN sets up diamond jubilee national awards committee , appoints Abdulgafar Oladimeji as chairman Sport Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN has set up diamond jubilee national committee that would oversee the conferment of national honour on those that have supported the development and promotion of sports and social development in Nigeria. The SWAN national diamond award event is scheduled as part of the activities to mark the celebration of its 60 years existence of the national umbrella body of sports writers in Nigeria. According to the missive from the stable of the national secretariat of the association, the committee would…

4.5 million fans from 216 countries enter draws for FIFA World Cup 26 ticket sales Fans from 216 countries and territories entered the Visa Presale Draw for the first phase of FIFA World Cup 26 ticketing. The highest number of applications was submitted by residents of the three host countries – the United States, Mexico and Canada, in that order. The top ten countries, in order of demand, were rounded out by Germany, England, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Spain and Italy. “These are not only outstanding figures, but also a strong statement,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “The whole world wants…

Nigerian born women’s football good girl, Onome Ebi bids the game goodbye Super falcons veteran, Onome Ebi has retired from active football. The well travelled soccer star took to her social media handle to announce an end to her over two decades sojourn on the national and international football arena. Onome said “Today, I officially retire from professional football. The journey has been filled with challenges, victories, and lessons that shaped me into who I am today. Though I hang up my boots, my purpose in the game continues — to give back, to guide, and to be a voice…