The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has announced new dates for two of Rivers United’s outstanding matches.

The matches involved are against Enyimba and Sporting Lagos.

The NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, disclosed this in a memo to the clubs.

Rivers United’s matchday 14 clash against Enyimba, which was initially scheduled for December 17, 2023, will now take place on Sunday, January 28, 2024.

The match will take place at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

The club’s matchday 13 clash against Sporting Lagos, initially billed for December 10, 2023, has been rescheduled to February 7, 2024, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.

Rivers United suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Rangers on Wednesday in one of their rescheduled games.

Stanley Eguma’s side are 14th on the NPFL table with 21 points.

Despite the team still having a slim chance of reaching the next round of the competition, the Federation of Ivorian Football has fired the head coach of the Elephant Jean Louis Gasset

The Ivorians have been a disaster after winning their opening game against Guinea-Bissau, they’ve lost the last 2 games against Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.

This was confirmed by the country’s football federation (FIF) on Wednesday.

“The contracts of coach Jean-Louis Gasset and his assistant Ghislain Printant are terminated due to insufficient results,” the FIF said in a statement.

“The President of the Ivorian Football Federation and its Executive Committee informs the Member Associations, the sporting public, the national and international Press, and all supporters of the Ivory Coast Football Team (the Elephants) that the contracts of Selector-Coach Jean-Louis André Lucien Gasset and his Deputy Ghislain Marie Joseph Printant are terminated for insufficient results, by the objective contract which linked them to the FIF”, the statement read.

Gasset, 70, took charge of the side in 2022, replacing Patrice Beaumelle. The Frenchman was previously the assistant coach of the France men’s national team and Paris Saint-Germain.

The Ivorians can still hope to qualify for the round of 16 by finishing among the best 3rds if Zambia loses against Morocco.

Should they qualify, they will face Group B winners Cape Verde or the winner of Group C in the round of 16.

The super Eagles of Nigeria will play the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the Round of 16 at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The knockout tie was confirmed on Tuesday evening after defending champions Senegal defeated the Syli Stars 2-0 and Cameroon beat Gambia 3-2.

The result means that Senegal topped Group C with nine maximum points, while Cameroon finished second with four points. Guinea also finished with four points, but had an inferior goal difference.

The Super Eagles finished runners-up behind Equatorial Guinea in Group A, following their 1-0 win over Guinea-Bissau.

The thrilling encounter between Nigeria and Cameroon will come up on Saturday at the FHB stadium in Abidjan.

Meanwhile, It was Cameroon that denied Nigeria the AFCON trophy the last time Cote D’Ivoire hosted the Africa Cup of Nations 30 years ago.

Many wait to see if the Super Eagles will get an act of revenge against their fierce rivals or if the Lions will confirm their superiority over Nigeria

Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL side, Sunshine Stars FC of Akure have sacked their coach, Edith Agoye.

The Owena Waves asked the former Shooting Stars coach to step aside from his position on Monday as they lined up his three possible replacements.

Former champion with Plateau United, Kennedy Boboye, Duke Udi and Deji Ayeni are all potential targets for Akure Gunnars.

Agoye was sacked following his side’s 1-0 loss away to Kwara United on Saturday in Ilorin which left them with just a point from the danger zone

Sunshine Stars are 12th on the NPFL24 log and only one point away from the relegation zone.

The Akure club has recorded five wins, seven defeats, and seven draws in this campaign.

Recall Agoye joined the Akure Gunners last season and he was able to lead them to the Super 6 where they finished in 4th position.

However, a change in the technical department is a move to halt the club’s dwindling performance in the league.

Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL side, Sunshine Stars FC of Akure have sacked their coach, Edith Agoye.

The Owena Waves asked the former Shooting Stars coach to step aside from his position on Monday as they lined up his three possible replacements.

Former champion with Plateau United, Kennedy Boboye, Duke Udi and Deji Ayeni are all potential targets for Akure Gunnars.

Agoye was sacked following his side’s 1-0 loss away to Kwara United on Saturday in Ilorin which left them with just a point from the danger zone

Sunshine Stars are 12th on the NPFL24 log and only one point away from the relegation zone.

The Akure club has recorded five wins, seven defeats, and seven draws in this campaign.

Recall Agoye joined the Akure Gunners last season and he was able to lead them to the Super 6 where they finished in 4th position.

However, a change in the technical department is a move to halt the club’s dwindling performance in the league.

Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL side, Sunshine Stars FC of Akure have sacked their coach, Edith Agoye.

The Owena Waves asked the former Shooting Stars coach to step aside from his position on Monday as they lined up his three possible replacements.

Former champion with Plateau United, Kennedy Boboye, Duke Udi and Deji Ayeni are all potential targets for Akure Gunnars.

Agoye was sacked following his side’s 1-0 loss away to Kwara United on Saturday in Ilorin which left them with just a point from the danger zone

Sunshine Stars are 12th on the NPFL24 log and only one point away from the relegation zone.

The Akure club has recorded five wins, seven defeats, and seven draws in this campaign.

Recall Agoye joined the Akure Gunners last season and he was able to lead them to the Super 6 where they finished in 4th position.

However, a change in the technical department is a move to halt the club’s dwindling performance in the league.

The Confederation of African Football has opened an investigation into the mele that happened in the game involving the Atlas Lions of Morocco and the Leopards of DR Congo.

The game played on Sunday witnessed fireworks from both teams which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The North Africans scored first through Achraf Hakimi and Silas Mvumpa equalized for the Congolese.

Meanwhile, Fraca ensued after the game involving the players of both teams when Morocco coach Walid Regragui tried to exchange greetings with DR Congo captain Mbembe.

CAF has however ordered an immediate investigation and fines and sanctions are expected to follow.

Nigeria’s U20 girls, Falconets, have earned a place at this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals after Opeyemi Ajakaye eventually brought down hard-fighting Burundi in a final round, second leg encounter at the MKO Abiola National Stadium on Saturday evening.

Recall that the Falconets had won the first leg 1-0 in Dar es Salaam six days ago with forward, Janet Akekoromowei netting the only goal of the first-leg encounter from the penalty spot.

As was the case in the first leg in Dar es Salaam, the Nigerian girls created opportunity after opportunity but failed to put them away to make their vast superiority count. As early as the 2nd minute, Opeyemi Ajakaye, who was the top scorer for the FIFA U17 World Cup bronze-winning Flamingos two years ago, volleyed wide when it appeared easier to score.

However, the deadlock was broken in the 78th minute by Ajakaye, who made hay with an assist by Akekoromowei.

The Falconets advanced to this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals, which will be staged in Colombia, 31st August – 22nd September.

Nigeria has been an ever-present at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup since it was launched as an U19 tournament in Canada 22 years ago, featuring at the World Cup in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022, and 2024, and finishing as runners-up in 2010 and 2014, and reaching the semi-finals in Japan in 2012.

Nigeria has been announced as the host country for the 2024 African University Games.

The All-Africa University Games is a regional multi-sport event representing Africa, organized for university athletes by the Federation of Africa University Sports.

It is organized by the Federation of Africa University Sports and was first held in 1975 in Accra, Ghana.

The University of Lagos and the Lagos State University are gearing up to host the 11th African University Games, scheduled to take place from September 20 to 29, 2024.

Nigeria last hosted the games in 2004 in Bauchi State, where 15 nations competed.

This was disclosed at the just-concluded 10th edition of the bi-annual games, which was hosted by Kenyatta University in Kenya, where Nigeria was unveiled as the next host of the games at the closing ceremony.

Nigeria, ranked eighth out of the 12 countries that participated in the 10th All Africa University Games, overtook Cote d’Ivoire, who were originally scheduled to host the games in 2024.

The Nigeria University Games Association through its acting Secretary-General, Chidiebere Ezeani, affirmed it on Thursday in a press statement.

“Lagos State University and the University of Lagos have joined forces as co-hosts for this prestigious event, showcasing a commitment to fostering sports excellence within the African university community,” Ezeani said.

“A historic aspect of this event is the co-hosting by female vice-chancellors of the respective universities. Professor Folasade Ogunsola, the 13th vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos, and her counterpart, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, the ninth vice-chancellor of Lagos State University, will lead this groundbreaking collaboration,” the statement read.

According to Ezeani, the event will feature an array of disciplines across individuals and team sports including; athletics, badminton, chess, Judo, basketball, football, volleyball, and handball.

FASU have also said more universities will be added to the competition this year, with about 5000 athletes expected to participate.

Meanwhile, vice-chancellor of UNILAG, Prof Folasade Ogunsola has expressed their readiness to host the continent having recently hosted the NUGA games.

“We will leverage the excellent facilities developed during the NUGA Games in 2021.”

She outlined plans to enhance the university sports center, including the recently commissioned 240-bed sports hostel.

Also speaking, Her LASU counterpart, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello also highlighted the significance of this event for Lagos State and the broader Nigerian university community.

The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has declared the home grounds of Abia Warriors and Heartland FC unfit to host matches, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

In a statement by the league body, both teams have been advised to seek for alternative venues in Aba, Enugu or Port Harcourt on or before their Matchday 19 fixture.

“The home grounds of Abia Warriors in Umuahia and Heartland FC in Owerri have been withdrawn from playing hosts to matches in the 2nd round of this season due to poor condition of the pitches.

“Both clubs are expected to select alternative home grounds from 3 NPFL approved venues in Aba, Enugu or Port Harcourt on or before their Matchday 19 fixture.

“The Umuahia Township Stadium & Dan Anyiam Stadium can only be reconsidered for playing hosts to NPFL matches of appropriate measures are taken to improve the playing surfaces to meet required standards.”

The Super Eagles of Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro, has confirmed that Alhassan Yusuf is out of the match against host, the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, on Thursday at the Stade Olympique Alassan Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan.

Peseiro confirmed this on Wednesday at the team’s news conference ahead of Nigeria’s second match at the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

According to the coach, the Royal Antwerp FC of Belgium defensive midfielder will only be in contention in the third match against Guinea-Bissau.

Recall that he was forced out of his AFCON debut on Sunday during Super Eagles’ game against Equatorial Guinea, which ended 1-1 after he impressed for the 68 minutes he was on the pitch.

The coach, however, confirmed that Napoli FC of Italy striker and reigning African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, would be available for the match against Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday.

The Portuguese also revealed that Leicester City of England playmaker Kelechi Iheanacho was close to playing, while Terem Moffi, OG Nice FC of France striker, was catching up with the rest of the squad as expected.

Former African Footballer of the Year Emmanuel Seyi Adebayor visited the Super Eagles at their Pullman Hotel base in Abidjan on Tuesday morning.

The former Arsenal striker spent time with Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa and some of the players.

The former Togo captain then expressed his support for the team to win the trophy in Cote d’Ivoire.

“I’m rooting for the Super Eagles to win the trophy. I’m with Nigeria and hope the players will deliver,” he said.

Meanwhile, The Super Eagles started their campaign at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals with a disappointing 1-1 draw with Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea.

Jose Peseiro’s men will face hosts Cote d’Ivoire at the Alassanne Quattara Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan on Thursday.

The Elephants top the Group A table with three points following the win against Equatorial Guinea.

Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea have a point each, while Guinea Bissau has yet to record a point.

Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface today began rehabilitation on his groin injury after undergoing a successful surgery.

The injury forced Boniface out of Nigeria’s 2023 AFCON squad and was replaced by OG nice goal-getter Terem Moffi after he sustained the injury during their training camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Boniface, who shared photos of the rehabilitation on his X handle said: “He who laugh last laugh best na big lie. Person wey no laugh when other dey laugh na werey ooo.”


Boniface is Leverkusen’s top scorer, netting 16 goals across all competitions this season. He made his international debut in October 2023 and has since earned four for Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Boniface is expected to be put till April this year.

Nigeria U20 Women’s national team, the Falconets defeated their host, Burundi by a lone goal in the first leg of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers played at Azam Stadium Complex in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Sunday evening.

A first half penalty goal scored by striker Janet Akekoromowei who plays for Asisat Oshoala Academy in Lagos gave Nigeria the full three points away from home even as efforts by coach Christopher Danjuma tutored Falconets to increase the tally in the second stanza proved abortive as the Burundians stood their grounds not to allow in more goals.

With the win, Nigeria is 90 minutes away from qualifying for the 2024 U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia with the second leg coming up in Nigeria on Saturday in Abuja on Saturday, January, 20, 2024.

The winner over the two legs will qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final in Colombia later in the year.

Nigeria has qualified for all but one edition since the competition started as FIFA U-19 Women’s Championship back in 2002 in Canada where Nigeria crashed out in the preliminary stage.

Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper, Jesus Owono insists he will do his best to stop Victor Osimhen from scoring against him.

The Deportivo Alaves shot stopper will be in goal when the Nzalang Nacional take on the three-time African champions at the Alassanne Quattara Stadium on Sunday, 3pm Nigeria time.

Victor Osimhen, who is currently the best player on the continent will be the centre of attraction in the game.

Ovono said he will put his A game on the table to stop the Napoli hitman.

“I will do my best to stop Victor Osimhen and other Super Eagles players,”he said during his interaction with the media on Saturday.

“We were unknown in the last AFCON, and we did a great job. For this AFCON, the teams have more information about us. We train a lot, and we have prepared for the rumble.”

In the same vein, Equatorial Guinea head coach Juan Micha has stated that his players are desperate to start their campaign at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on a winning note.

The match will be the first-ever meeting between both countries at the AFCON.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles won the two other encounters between both countries in the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.

“We have an ambition in this tournament, we want to win the tournament. We are aware of what to do, we want to give our best,” Micha told a press conference.

“We have a complicated game tomorrow, Nigeria are among the favourites but we we have prepared ourselves to be at the highest level.

“They have players missing and they have replacements, we are of Nigeria potential and we have our potentials too. We have prepared for the game.”