Sports

Governor Abiodun Presents Super Eagles Star With Cash Gifts

Published

2 months ago

October 28, 2025

The Super Falcons have received a cash gift of N50 million from the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun.

In a post shared on Instagram, the governor announced the reward for the team during their visit to his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Abiodun hosted the Super Falcons ahead of the second leg of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 qualifier where the team would lock horns with the Amazons of the Benin Republic.

Speaking ahead of the match, the governor said the cash gift handed to the female football team is a token of appreciation for their past performances in WAFCON.

He also encouraged them to ensure they emerge victorious in their upcoming match.

Also commending the team for bagging the tenth WAFCON title in Morocco, Governor Abiodun said it is important to note that the team’s achievement is an inspiration to young Nigerian women across the globe.

“What the Falcons represent goes far beyond football. They embody leadership, teamwork, and discipline. Through their example, millions of young women are learning that excellence knows no gender, and that with hard work and unity, they too can achieve greatness,” Abiodun said.

The governor also assured the Super Falcons of his administration effort to rehabilitate the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta into a global standard sports and tourism hub.

According to him, the stadium when completed will feature a five-star hotel, cinema, shopping complex alongside other modern facilities.

He informed the team of the undiluted support and confidence bestowed on them by residents and indigenes of Ogun state, his government and other stakeholders in the sports industry.

Sports

Palmer Out For Chelsea’s Carabao Cup Quarter-Final, Says Maresca

Published

4 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer will not feature in the Blues’ Carabao Cup quarter-final against Cardiff City, head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed.

The match is set for Tuesday at 8 pm in the Welsh capital, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.

Palmer recently returned to action after a spell out with groin and toe injuries and scored in Chelsea’s weekend victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge.

However, Maresca, in his press conference on Monday, explained that the young forward is being carefully managed to avoid overexertion.

“I’ve already said many times in press conferences that we have many players who need to be protected. Cole is one of the players who deserves to be protected right now. In this moment, he’s not available to play two games in three days. So, he won’t be available for tomorrow’s game, but should be fine for the weekend,” Maresca said.

The Chelsea coach also praised Cardiff City and their manager, Brian Murphy, highlighting the challenge the Blues will face:

“They are top of the league, playing nice football and winning games. I know Brian and know he is doing a good job. This will be a dangerous game for us, and we need to pay attention and be careful tomorrow. We have the opportunity to achieve something important, which is to reach the semi-final of this competition.”

Chelsea will hope to progress to the last four while keeping key players fresh for the Premier League schedule.

Sports

Osimhen Named Sportsman Of The Year In Turkey

Published

4 days ago

December 11, 2025

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Victor Osimhen has been crowned Sportsman of the Year at the 2025 GQ Türkiye Men of the Year Awards, DAILY POST reports.

Osimhen received the prestigious award at an elaborate ceremony on Wednesday night.

The Nigeria international was recognised for his contribution to Galatasaray’s domestic double last season.

The 26-year-old registered 37 goals and seven assists across all competitions for the Yellow and Reds.

Osimhen has already netted 11 goals in 14 matches for Okan Buruk’s side this season.

He is the first Nigerian to win the award.

Sports

Don’t Rely Too Much On Osimhen, Babangida Tells Chelle

Published

4 days ago

December 11, 2025

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Former Nigeria international Tijani Babangida has warned Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle against building the team solely around forward Victor Osimhen ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Babangida expressed concern over Nigeria’s over-dependence on the Galatasaray striker, particularly after the team’s struggles when Osimhen was substituted at half-time during the 2026 World Cup play-off defeat to DRCongo.

“It is dangerous that it appears that the Super Eagles are built around Victor Osimhen. It was when Osimhen was removed at the beginning of the second half against Congo that the team started to struggle. That is very bad,” Babangida told Tribal Football.

The former winger emphasised that the Super Eagles of his era were not dependent on a single player and urged Chelle to address the issue before the tournament.

“The Super Eagles of my time were not built around one player. Many people have observed that the Super Eagles are built around Osimhen. This is a problem that Eric Chelle must fix if the team wants to win the AFCON,” he said.

“Chelle must impart this mentality to all the players, the attackers especially, that the team is not built around Osimhen. Any player given the nod to feature in any game must perform very well and play as a team.”

Babangida stressed that while a fully fit Osimhen is valuable, the team must maintain high morale regardless of his availability.

“We need a fully fit Osimhen, but we also need fully mentally prepared players who know that with or without Osimhen, Super Eagles can win. Morale should be high in the team whether Osimhen is there or not,” he added.

“Super Eagles should not be in a mess if Osimhen is injured. Chelle must address this issue because injury is part of the game. Osimhen’s absence in any game should not be the end of the world for Super Eagles.”

Nigeria have been drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Uganda, and Tunisia as they chase a fourth AFCON title.