Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has paid a condolence visit to the family of the former Chief of General Staff, the late Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya (retd.).
He shared pictures from the visit via his Instagram account on Friday.
The Vice president described Diya as a forthright and honest leader who served his country and its people well.
He wrote “My sincere and heartfelt condolence to the wife, Mrs Josephine Diya, children and family of a worthy predecessor in office, a decent gentleman, and an outstanding soldier and leader – General Oladipo Diya.
“General served his country and its people well. Both as a soldier and later as a political leader – at all times, he demonstrated a rare ability to manage men and material efficiently, he built trust because he trusted others and served with integrity and forthrightness. We will remember him well and celebrate his legacy always.
“On behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and our government, I express sincere sympathies and pray that his memory will always be blessed.”
The emergence of Ibrahim Musa Gusau today in Benin City as the 40th president of the Nigeria Football Federation effectively brings to an end the electioneering activities and jostle for the leadership of Africa’s largest football federation.
I sincerely congratulate the new helmsman who now has the mandate to pilot our football destiny for the next four years and wish him Godspeed in the discharge of this onerous responsibility.
The duty to heal all wounds which had festered in the last few years, reconciliation of aggrieved parties and resolve to chart a roadmap for even development of the game in Nigeria should be of primal importance to all stakeholders.
I hope, with all sense of responsibility, that the new leadership of the NFF will introspect and pick from some of the groundbreaking ideas which some of the candidates in the election put forward. Salvaging Nigeria football is a collective responsibility and none should be left behind.
In the immortal words of Marianne Williamson, “the top of one mountain is the bottom of another,” so as we close the chapter on the electioneering campaign, I am already looking forward to the continuation of my duty to help give opportunities to the thousands of Nigerian youth who can find a future and calling in football, not only as players on the pitch but also as coaches, referees, administrators etc.
This has been the mission of TeamNigeriaUK International over the years and I will re-dedicate myself to this calling in which I have found fulfilment.
Our collaborations with important stakeholders to bring premium life-changing opportunities to our compatriots will not stop. Rather, we will continue to push the frontiers and break glass ceilings which seek to relegate Nigeria into a bit-part actor in World football. For example, our work with Southampton FC will continue at full speed and we shall not relent in searching for similar partnerships which benefit our people.
I cannot end without recognizing the hardwork, encouragement and advice that I got in deciding to embark on this journey. To family, friends and associates who showed unflinching believe in my abilities, I am eternally grateful for your total support and contributions. If I ever harboured a shred of doubt in my ability, you cleared such doubts and made me to see infinite possibilities. A thousand thanks will not be enough to appreciate you all.
In conclusion, this had been an eye-opening excursion for me and a great experience that will serve me better in the years ahead.
The inhumane treatment leading to the termination of Kelechi Nwakali’s contract by Huesca is a clear violation of the labour rights of the Super Eagles midfielder, says Spanish Footballers Union (AFE), www.totorinews.com reports.
This was disclosed via a statement from the football labour union in Spain on Wednesday evening.
The AFE players union said via a statement on Wednesday evening: “Given the numerous information that is appearing, some erroneous, AFE wants to clarify that the dismissal will be challenged – as it cannot be otherwise – before the courts of the city of Huesca with the aim of continuing to safeguard the labour rights of the soccer player. “AFE understands that, with this unilateral resolution adopted by the club, the labour rights of Kelechi Nwakali have been clearly violated.”
The draw for the FIFA World Cup qualification play-offs has been postponed to next year following a CAF decision on Friday at the Extraordinary Assembly, reports www.totorinews.com.
The draw which was initially scheduled for 18 December 2021 will now be done on 26 January 2022 during AFCON tournament in Cameroon.
Furthermore, the January 2022 FIFA rankings will be used to seed the teams for the draw. Nigeria is presently ranked 5th best team in Africa.
Top five ranked African teams at the time of the draw will be seeded and will be paired against the other five unseeded countries.
The unseeded teams are scheduled to host the seeded teams in the first leg.
Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Nigeria are the top five African teams according to the last FIFA ranking released in the month of November and these countries have all qualified for the final play – off in Africa.
Other countries that have also qualified in Africa are Egypy, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali and DR Congo.
The African play- off games are scheduled for March, 2022.
Super Eagles winger, Sone Aluko is bereaved after losing his father, Senator Gbenga Aluko on Saturday, reports www.totorinews.com.
Sone Aluko was very prominent in the Super Eagles during the reign of late Stephen Keshi as the manager of the team. The Ipswich attacker last played for the Super Eagles in Uyo in the 2-2 draw game with the Bafana Bafana of South Africa during the qualifiers for the 2015 AFCON tournament.
His father, late Senator Aluko, the former lawmaker who represented the Ekiti South constituency between 1999 and 2003, died on Saturday after he collapsed in his office in Abuja. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead. In 2018, Aluko contested for the governorship ticket on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State, but failed in his bid to become the governor of the state. It was also gathered that Aluko was neither sick nor exhibited any symptom of sickness prior to his death.
George Finidi – led technical crew of Rivers United defeated visiting Heartland tutored by Emmanuel Amuneke 3 – 1 in NPFL cracker on Saturday evening, reports www.totorinews.com.
Rivers United began on a very strong note when Tunde Olaniyi hit the back of the net in the 3rd minute and it was a goal that brought the momentum to the host team, as Heartland struggled to find their balance.
Heartland gradually came into the game and the team was rewarded with an equaliser in the added minutes of the first half, as both teams went into the break on equal ground.
However, the second half was a different ball game, with Rivers United in total dominance and Kabiru Abdullahi’s brace in 68th and 90th minute completely sealed victory for Finidi at the expense of Amuneke.
Rivers United now four points from two games, while Heartland are yet to earn a point from the same number of games.
In a thrilling encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigerian champions Rangers International secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Angola’s Sagrada Esperanca in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie.
The decisive moment came in the 78th minute when Kazeem Ogunleye scored a stunning goal, handing Rangers International a crucial advantage ahead of the return leg.
Despite struggling in front of goal, having scored only three goals in their last four matches across all competitions, Rangers International’s victory sets them up for a tantalizing return leg at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda on November 22. A draw will be enough to see them progress to the lucrative group stage of the competition.
This win marks a significant step forward for Rangers International, who are seeking to make a statement in the CAF Champions League. With Nigeria’s other representative, Remo Stars, eliminated in the first round, the pressure is on Rangers International to fly the flag for Nigerian football.
Will they be able to build on this momentum and secure a spot in the group stage? Only time will tell.
Reigning vice champions Japan edged Nigeria 2-1 in the Round of 16 at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in Colombia on Friday morning, ending the promising journey of the Falconets.
A goal in each half, first by Miyu Matsunaga and then by Maya Hijikata, meant that Olushola Shobowale’s composed finish one minute into time-added-on was too little too late in driving rain at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota.
The tenacious Maya Hijikata came close in the 13th minute, almost capitalizing as goalkeeper Faith Omilana came out to punch the ball from a cross, but Comfort Folorunsho was on the line to rescue the situation.
Japan’s famed electric pace and clever flicks and chips were countered by Nigeria’s fit-fighting approach and positional play. But in the 18th minute, Japan came close again when Uno Shiragaki and Manaka Matsukubo missed getting a touch on the ball as Rio Sasaki carved open Nigeria’s defence from a free kick on the right.
The East Asians would go in front in the 33rd minute, as Matsunaga headed home a cross by Rihona Ujihara.
Four minutes before the break, Nigeria could have levelled when Rofiat Imuran’s in-swinger from the left rattled goalkeeper Akana Okuma, but Maya Hijikata cleared the ball off the line.
Hijikata made it two for Japan in the 66th minute when she drove the ball into the net after a cross from the right by Chinari Sasai. Omilana punched over fierce shots by Matsunaga and Suzu Amano in the 77th and 86th minute respectively, but Nigeria made it a tense finish when Shobowale coolly slotted in a cross from the left by substitute Goodness Osigwe.
Japan will face Spain in the quarter-finals, in a re-match of the final match of the last edition in Costa Rica two years ago.
Australian Open 2025 tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday 10 October at 12pm AEDT.
But if you can’t wait until then, members of the general public for the first time can get in on a pre-sale, thanks to a new partnership with Mastercard.
AO 2025 ticket options include sessions at Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena, as well as Ground Passes, which in 2025 remain at 2024’s early-bird starting price of $49* in week one.
Tickets in all categories and for all sessions can be purchased via ticketmaster.com.au/ausopen, and additional experiences can be purchased with any ticket through AO Reserve.
But it’s through pre-sales that you can secure your piece of the action even earlier.
Mastercard cardholders can access AO 2025 tickets through a pre-sale beginning Tuesday 1 October.
Members of the tennis community – which includes coaches, officials, club members, Hot Shots players, among others – plus those who have signed up to AO Extras, can access pre-sale tickets from Wednesday 2 October.
At Australian Open 2025, there are more opportunities than ever to secure your tickets to enjoy all the excitement of the season’s first Grand Slam tennis event.
Opening Week kicks off on Monday 6 January, during which time early-bird ticket prices are $10* for adults and $5* for kids and when Melbourne Park comes alive with the AO qualifying competition, exhibition matches, open practice sessions and Kids Tennis Day.
And for the second straight year, main-draw action begins on a Sunday (12 January), ensuring 15 days of electrifying Grand Slam play.
There will be 58 total sessions – 27 at Rod Laver Arena, 16 at Margaret Court Arena and 15 at John Cain – which is six more than in 2024.
Ground Passes retain their incredible value as one of the best sporting and entertainment tickets in town.
Early-bird prices remain unchanged from 2024, starting at $49* in week one, $69* for the middle weekend, and just $19* for week two. This is also the case for Kids Ground Passes, which remain at $10* for week one and drop to just $5* for week two.
The tournament will also introduce a Youth Ground Pass, an affordable option for teenagers positioned between concession and kids pricing.
Aryna Sabalenka, 2024 Australian Open champion
The 7-Day Ground Pass returns for fans wanting to attend each day of the tournament in week two.
Ground Pass holders can enjoy access to general admission seating in John Cain Arena, all seats in KIA Arena, plus the outside courts, AO Ballpark, Grand Slam Oval and Middle Terrace.
For those wanting to experience tennis at Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena, tickets for RLA sessions start at $75, and MCA at $65.
And in another boost for fans, Ticketmaster Resale will be introduced, allowing fans the flexibility and security to sell their tickets on the same official platform as primary tickets are sold.
Early-bird ticket pricing ends midnight 30 November 2024.
From 1 December, Adult Ground Passes change to $59 for week one, $85 for the middle Friday and Saturday, and $35 for week two. Kids Ground Passes change to $15 for week one, $20 for the middle Friday and Saturday, and $15 for week two. Opening week ground passes change to $15 for adults and $10 for kids.
Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has given the green light for the hosting of the 8th National Youth Games, scheduled to commence on Thursday in Asaba www.totorinews.com reports.
The Governor confirmed the state’s readiness after inspecting facilities at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, the main venue for the games.
Governor Oborevwori was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Chief Solomon Ogba, and top officials of the State Sports Commission. The team toured the swimming pool, shooting range, and other facilities at the Indoor Sports Hall, with the Governor expressing satisfaction with the preparations.
The Governor noted that 5,776 athletes from 29 states had already arrived and registered for the games ahead of the opening ceremony. This large turnout is a testament to the importance of the National Youth Games, which provides a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents.
Governor Oborevwori emphasized the significance of the games, citing the success of Favour Ofili, a product of the games, at the recent Olympics in Paris. He expressed optimism that this year’s edition would uncover even more talented athletes, saying “We are looking for a talent better than Ofili. I assure our people that this year will be better than last year.”
With the stage set and the athletes ready, the 8th National Youth Games are poised to be an exciting and memorable event. The people of Delta State are eagerly looking forward to hosting the games and showcasing the state’s hospitality and sporting prowess.
Former coach of the Super Eagles, Clemens Westerhof has drummed support for Samson Siasia, who played under him to handle the team, reports www.totorinews.com
According to Sports Village Square, Westerhof, who won the 1994 AFCON and led to her maiden world cup appearance in USA same year, made this remark after Bruno Labbadia could not agree terms with the NFF and he declined the offer to coach the team once rated 5th best in the world under Westerhof.
“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.
Clemens Westerhof and Samson Siasia in London recently
“Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it,” he added.
Meanwhile, Austin Eguavoen, who was very pivotal in Westerhof’s Eagles has done well as the interim coach of the team, where he tinkered Nigeria to 3-0 win over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic last weekend and goalless draw with Wasps of Rwanda on Tuesday.
Nigeria and Rwanda stifled themselves to a scoreless draw at a refurbished Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Tuesday, but the Super Eagles retain leadership of their qualifying group courtesy of the 3-0 whiplash of Benin Republic in Uyo on Saturday. Libya’s Mediterranean Knights, playing the Cheetahs in Abidjan some hours later, would only be able to dislodge the Eagles if they won by three goals.
The draw was typical of two earlier encounters between both teams in Kigali, as Nigeria forced a 1-1 draw in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying match also at the Amahoro, and both teams drew 0-0 in a 2013 AFCON qualifier at the Stade Regional de Nyamirambo.
Coach Augustine Eguavoen made only one change from the squad that started against the Cheetahs, with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru taking the place of Alex Iwobi.
Defender Bruno Onyemaechi should have put Nigeria ahead after only three minutes, but he miscued his shot after a great pass by Ademola Lookman. Two minutes later, midfielder Wiflred Ndidi’s shot went straight to goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.
Bonheur Mugisha and Kevin Muhire took turns harassing the Super Eagles’ defence as the game wore on, but Nigeria could have been up by a goal after 22 minutes as Lookman headed into the net. But Moroccan referee Karim Sabry ruled that a Nigerian player had pushed a defender in the build-up. Victor Boniface wasted a glorious opportunity in the 25th minute, and in the 37th minute, Onyemaechi failed to capitalize as Boniface’s shot rocked the upright and bounced back into play.
Four minutes to half time, Onyemaechi, getting into scoring positions easily, headed wide when he received a cross from the right by Olaoluwa Aina.
Eight minutes into the second half, substitute Moses Simon’s shot from William Ekong’s floater was blocked by an imperious Ntwari. Jojea Kwizera could have put the Wasps in front on 68th minutes as the home boys broke forward, but his shot flew away from goal. With 19 minutes left, Lookman was almost celebrating a goal, only to see his volley from Aina’s cross punched out by Ntwari. Mugisha, undaunted, unleashed a rocket from 22 yards with two minutes, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali punched into safety.
Substitute Raphael Onyedika could have struck in the 89th minute, but again, Ntwari was on hand to block his shot, just as he held firmly to the ball from substitute Victor Osimhen’s header in added time.
The Eagles will next confront the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, mid-October.
Africa’s biggest hope for podium appearance at the ongoing FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals, Nigeria, have returned to the Colombia capital, Bogota, ahead of Friday morning’s Round of 16 clash with Japan.
Japan, one of the strongest forces in women’s football globally, topped Group E that also included Austria, New Zealand and one of Africa’s flag-bearers Ghana. Ghana crashed out of the tournament after losing to Japan and Austria, and a narrow win over New Zealand.
The Falconets reached the Round of 16 after pipping Korea Republic 1-0 and losing 1-3 to Germany, and then earning a fabulous 4-0 win over Venezuela in Cali.
“The girls have worked very hard to get to this stage, and we are proud of their efforts. We will be taking the knockout stages one match at a time. I must tell you that we are excited at the prospects of facing Japan and what that brings forth,” Coach Chris Musa Danjuma said on his team’s return to the capital on Wednesday night.
The clash between Nigeria and Japan will hold at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota – where the Falconets played their first two matches of the group phase against Korea Republic and Germany – starting from 2am Nigeria time (8pm, Thursday in Colombia) on Friday, 13th September.
Augustine Eguavoen started his fourth stint with the Super Eagles on a fabulous note, with the three-time African kings decimating Benin Republic’s Cheetahs 3-0 in Uyo on Saturday.
The 58-year-old intends to continue along the win-and-smile path when Nigeria confront Rwanda at the Amahoro National Stadium, Kigali on Tuesday afternoon.
“We play to win all the time, because Nigerians expect their team to win all the time. And because we have a team with great personnel, we play every team with respect but we don’t get intimidated by any.
“Our objective for Tuesday’s game is the three points.”
Team captain William Ekong, speaking at the pre-match post conference at the Amahoro Stadium on Monday, just before the Eagles’ official training, echoed the tactician: “We are here for a purpose. With Coach Eguavoen, who has coached the team before, we all feel like a family. We will play for each other and go for the three points that will establish us at the top of the table.”
Table-toppers Nigeria, still basking in the great-feel of their 3-0 defeat of the Cheetahs, take on the Amavubi (Wasps) at the refurbished 45,000-capacity facility in the heart of Kigali in a Matchday 2 encounter of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, from 2pm Nigeria time.
Tuesday’s encounter is the first of four battles between the Eagles and the Amavubi in the next 12 months, with the two teams to clash in November in Nigeria in the final round of this qualifying race, and then do a home-and-away in the 2025 FIFA World Cup race with the Wasps also hosting Nigeria first in March next year.
Coach Torsten Spittler, a German, has roused the country of 13 million people to believe that the Amavubi can torpedo Nigeria, Libya and Benin Republic, and earn their first ticket to the Africa Cup of Nations since 2004. He flaunts an impressive record though, having led the team to win three of their last eight matches, drawing four and losing one.
Spittler intends to set defenders Claude Niyomugabo, Fitina Omborenga, Ange Mutsinzi, Jean Claude Niyomugabo and Christian Ishimwe against Nigeria’s twin-terrors Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, who both concocted the three goals that deflated the Cheetahs in Uyo.
In the midfield, Olivier Niyonzima, Bonheur Mugisha and Jean Bosco Rubineka can prove a handful on their day, and at the fore, Spittler has implicit confidence in Gilbert Mugisha, Bienvenu Mugenzi and Innocent Nshuti, who got the team’s equalizer against Libya in Tripoli last week.
Eguavoen confirmed on Monday that all 23 players in the Nigeria team abode at the Radisson Blu are fit and ready, meaning that goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali should be expected to start, alongside captain Ekong, Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey at the heart of defence, while Olaoluwa Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi will be wingbacks.
Wilfred Ndidi will possibly anchor the midfield that will have Alex Iwobi or Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, while Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze could still start at the fore.
Resolute in defence, relevant in the attack...Bruno Onyemaechi
If there is a player that really impressed me in the defence of the Super Eagles on Saturday, who has not been a regular in the team, i will gladly mention the name – Bruno Onyemaechi.
There was no doubt that he had a superb game against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic.
The left full back was resolute in the defence of the Super Eagles and was equally relevant, as he joined the attack to add more threats against the opponents.
What thrilled me more was the fact the game against Cheetahs was his first competitive game for Nigeria. Remember, he was an un- used player at AFCON 2023.
It was a shock that Jose Peseiro did not consider him good enough in any of the seven games Nigeria played.
Kudos to Interim coach, Austin Eguavoen and his technical crew for finding him worthy to feature in yesterday’s game annd the defender did not disappoint.
I hope this good form of brilliant Bruno will continue against Rwanda on Tuesday.
I see another win for Nigeria everything working out fine come Tuesday.
