Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi has been unveiled by NWFL side Naija Ratels.

The veteran defender was in the books of Spanish Iberdola side, Levante Las Planas last season.

The 40-year-old is making a return to the Nigerian top-flight 15 years after leaving Bayelsa Queens.

Ebi also played for clubs in Sweden, Turkey, Belarus, China and Spain.

The 40-year-old defender is seen as a vital team member for the Abuja-based side keen on making a name in Nigeria’s football scene.

The experienced centre-back will wear jersey number 5 at her new club.

Ebi has made 109 appearances for Nigeria’s Super Falcons and scored three times.

The former Pitea of Sweden player has won four Africa Women’s Cup of Nations titles with the Super Falcons.

Ebi has also set the record of being the first African footballer, male or female, to play in six FIFA World Cup Tournaments.

“My joining Naija Ratels is beyond playing football. It’s about inspiring young upcoming female players from the grassroots to thank and believe that if they dare like I did, they can make history like I did in a climate where a woman have to do twice as much work to achieve success,” she said.

“I strongly think my story won’t be complete if I don’t accomplish the goal of giving back to the Nigerian league, which nurtured me to stardom.”

Looking back at her achievements within the game onome obi said “When I was very younger, I never had the opportunity to see or train with great legends like Florence Omagbemi and others who were my idols back then,”.

“Today, I’m a legend, making it in life as a Footballer in one of the most difficult climates any girl could possibly hope to ply a trade like football.

“I believe my joining Naija Ratels FC, with very young sets of players, is the best way to share my story of success and inspire female youngsters across Nigeria and Africa.”

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin its quest for a fourth AFCON title against Equatorial Guinea on the 14th of January after the African soccer governing body released the official match schedule for the 2023 African Cup of Nations.

The encounter billed for Abidjan will start at 3 pm Nigeria time.

Jose Peseiro’s men will do battle with hosts Cote d’Ivoire four days later also in Abidjan.

The three-time African champion’s last group game is against the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau on January 22.

The draw for the biennial tournament was held on Thursday in Abidjan with 24 teams placed in 6 groups of 4 teams each.

The top two teams in Group A will secure automatic qualification to the Round of 16.

The Super Eagles and the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire are favorites to secure the top two spots in the group.

The competition will start on January 13 with Cote d’Ivoire taking on Guinea-Bissau in the opening fixture.

Bayer Leverkusen forward, Victor Boniface, has picked the Bundesliga Rookie gong for September.

This is the second time the Super Eagles forward will be winning the award after picking his first in August.

Since arriving in Germany from Belgium the young striker has been consistent in his performance and also scoring regularly for Bayer Leverkusen.

The 22-year-old scored four goals and one assist to beat his competitors, including RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons and Hoffenheim’s forward Maximilian Beier to seize the honour.

He is also the third-highest goal scorer in the league with seven goals behind Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy.

Super Eagles lived up to expectations Friday in Portugal as the Jose Peseiro tutored side almost ran away with a 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia in an international friendly but eventually settled for a 2-2 draw.

The Saudis now led by Roberto Mancini had shot into the lead in the 60th in a bizarre minute of the match thanks to Salman Al Faraj, after Francis Uzoho diverted an aimless free kick into his net in an attempt to tip it over the net.

The Eagles trailed for 13 minutes till a combination of impressive runs from Moses Simon and Victor Boniface produced an impressive run leading to the equalizer which was however credited to Saudi’s Abdulelah Al Amri as own goal in the 73rd minute.

Meanwhile, the match had to be put on hold to see if there was any infringement that could lead to the cancellation of the goal Satisfied that there was nothing to complain about the center referee Luís Godinho allowed the goal to stand.

Simon was once again involved with the second goal with his layoff for Terem Moffi getting cleared onto the path of Kelechi Iheanacho,who curled home a beauty of an effort from the edge of the box for what he thought was the winner.

It was almost a done deal for the Eagles but 10 minutes of added time saw the Saudis covert a free-kick which take a slight deflection and leave the encounter as no victor no vanquished.

Jose Santos Peseiro’s Super Eagles have been drawn with hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau in Group A of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Just before the draw Eagles who crashed out in the round of 16 against Tunisia at the last edition in Cameroon, also dropped in the latest FIFA ranking which forced CAF to seed them in Pot 2 and open them to the possibility of facing one of the highest ranked African teams including the host of the 2023 AFCON, Ivory Coast.

In the draw which was co-hosted by Senegalese music icon, Akon, and former Ivory Coast international Yaya Toure Super Eagles of Nigeria found themselves paired with their fierce rivals and hosts, Ivory Coast in Group A.

The 3 time afcon champion will also have to go through third seeded Equatorial Guinea and 4th seeded Guinea-Bissau which gave the Nigerian team a very tough during the qualification round.

Seven time AFCON champions Egypt will play in Group B against Ghana, Cape Verde, and Mozambique, while defending champions Senegal and Cameroon make up a tough Group C against Gambia and Guinea.

Algeria and Burkina Faso headline Group D, which also includes Angola and Mauritania, while Group E comprises Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, and Namibia.

Finally, Group F will see World Cup finalists Morocco take on DR Congo, Zambia and Tanzania.

Seven-time Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers International have signed shirt sponsorship with Afrinvest Limited worth N50 million per season.

The agreement has an obligation of renewal of agreement for the next two football seasons after the run of the current football season; thus, making it a total of three consecutive seasons if the current initial season runs through.

Speaking during the signed agreement, the General Manager of Rangers, Amobi Ezeaku, thanked Afrinvest and the state government for believing in the club and investing in it for the club to make a difference.

“Rangers will press on with its vision and mission to dominate the World through Africa by this visionary investment of Afrinvest,” he concludes.

Speaking after the unveiling of the shirt sponsor, the state’s Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu, said that with the sponsorship, Afrinvest had given the state government the challenge to do more not just for Rangers but sports in general.

Ekweremadu said that with the relationship, he was optimistic that Rangers would soon achieve unprecedented heights; “while the trophies and accolades would be coming soon”.

“I thank Afrinvest for giving us the leverage to stand out as the best and get more fan base, more national and international outlook and exposure as well as lots more,” he said.

The signing and the unveiling was witnessed by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) officials as well as ex-national and ex-Rangers players, which included: Christian Chukwu, Emmanuel Okala and Davidson Owumi among others.

The Confederation of African Football CAF, has released the list of approved stadiums, ahead of the group stage matches of the 2023-24 Confederation Cup.

The list released confirmed that Nigeria’s only representative in the tournament, Rivers United will play their home games away from the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port-Harcourt.

The Pride of Rivers progressed to the group stage of the competition following their 2-0 aggregate victory over Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso in the second preliminary play-off round.

The former Nigeria league champions hosted the Burkinabes at the Adokie Amasiamaka Stadium in the return leg.

It would be recalled that the Rivers state-based side also used Uyo for their home games in the competition last season.

Meanwhile, Rivers United is placed in Group C alongside Club Africain (Tunisia), Dream FC ( Ghana), and APC Lobito (Angola)

Stanley Eguma side will however be aiming to make it to the next round of the competition.

World football’s governing body, FIFA has appointed officials for next Monday’s senior international friendly match between Nigeria and Mozambique in Portugal.

Portuguese official Miguel Nogueira will serve as the match referee while his compatriots Paulo Bras, Ana Loide and Bruno Viera will work as 1st Assistant referee 2nd Assistant referee and fourth official, respectively.

The encounter between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Mambas of Mozambique will take place at the Estadio Municipal de Portimão on October 16th and will start at 4:00 pm Portuguese/Nigerian time.

The match will be the fifth meeting between both countries at senior level.

In a friendly match, the Super Eagles edged the Mambas by the odd goal in Maputo, before two memorable clashes in 2009, in the race to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.

In Maputo, both teams settled for a scoreless draw, and in Abuja in October 2009, it was heading for the same scoreline before Obinna Nsofor headed powerfully into the net for the three points to save Nigeria’s blushes.

However, a draw that evening would have automatically eliminated Nigeria from the race.

When both teams faced off at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola in 2010, in the group phase, the Super Eagles thrashed the Mambas 3-0 in the city of Lubango.

Monday’s encounter in Portugal will start at 4 pm Portugal time (same time as in Nigeria).

Meanwhile, it would be recalled, that World World football-governing body, FIFA had earlier in the month appointed Portuguese Referee, Luis Godinho, to officiate the international friendly match between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

The encounter will take place at the Estadio Municipal de Portimão on Friday, the 13th of October.

Godinho will be assisted by compatriots Bruno Jesus (assistant referee 1), Tiago Costa (assistant referee 2) and Miguel Noguera (fourth official) at the match kicking off by 5pm Portugal time (same time as in Nigeria.

Fifa also appointed are Helder Carvalho to head the situation in the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) room, to be assisted by Bruno Vieira.

The profile of Nigeria’Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface continues to soar due to his superb performances week-in-week out.

Boniface joined Leverkusen this summer and he has been splendid in the colour of the club since his arrival.

He has been nominated alongside RB Leipzig’s midfielder Xavi Simons and Hoffenheim’s forward Maximilian Beier.

The Bayer Leverkusen striker featured in four Bundesliga games in September and notched 5 goal contributions including a brace against Darmstadt and newly promoted Heidenheim.

In contrast, Simons recorded four goal involvements for Leipzig while Beier had 3 for Hoffenheim in the month under review.

The Nigeria international has so far registered seven goals in seven league outings for Die Werkself.

Meanwhile the former Bodo/Glimt of Norway star is the fifth Bayer Leverkusen player to record the feat in the history of the Bundesliga.

Boniface has enjoyed an impressive start to life in the German top-flight following his arrival from Belgian Pro League outfit Union St. Gilloise in the summer.

He was named Bundesliga Player of the Month for August and will be hoping to make it back-to-back wins.

Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the host country for the 2024 Championship of African Nations (CHAN).

Algeria hosted the last edition and Senegal emerged as the winner for the first time in their history.

Since the last edition, the Africa governing body has been searching for the country that will host the 2024 edition.

CAF was about to cancel the competition for next season after no country signify interest to stage the biennial tournament.

But CAF on Monday evening announced Kenya as the host country for the next edition of CHAN.

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are countries that will host the 2027 edition of the African Cup of Nations.

“In addition to CAN 2027, Kenya has also been selected to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in September 2024″, the statement said.

The draws for the qualifier will soon be released that is according to the African football apex body.

Newly invited Super Falcons attacker Babajide Rinsola has expressed her happiness about her invitation to the national team.

The UDG Tenerife of Spain forward was among the 22 players invited for the Super Falcons 2024 Olympic qualifiers against Ethiopia on Sunday.

Babajide who wears jersey number 7 for Tenerife recently switched nationality after representing England at the U-20 level.

Her performance which attracted the Super Falcons handlers prompted her invitation, The 25-year-old is however grateful for the opportunity to play for Nigeria.

Babajide demonstrated her reaction via social media platform X formerly Twitter where she also appreciated the fans for their tremendous support.

“The love I’ve been feeling has been very overwhelming, thank you so much. Grateful & blessed for this opportunity 🥹🙏🏾🇳🇬 #Honoured,” she wrote on her X.

She is expected to make her debut for the Super Falcons against the Ethiopians in the second round of the qualifier for the 2024 Olympic Games slated to hold in Paris, France.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has extended invitation to goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Nicole Payne and forward Asisat Oshoala headline and 19 other players invited to the Super Falcons’ camp for this month’s Paris 2024 Women Olympic Football Tournament qualification fixture against the Senior Women National Team of Ethiopia.

According to the NFF press release, Ethiopia will host the first leg of the second-round fixture in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, 25th October with the second leg in Nigeria on Tuesday, 31st October.

Ethiopia eliminated Chad in the first round of the series, and Nigeria, the nine-time defending champions of Africa, had a bye

The Super Falcons, who finished 8th at the 32-team FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand in the summer, also drew a bye to the third round of the 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations qualification series, after Sao Tome and Principe’s senior girls scratched the tie. The Falcons will be up against their counterparts from Cape Verde in the third round of that series at the end of November.

Meanwhile the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament will take place in Paris, France, the following year, and The Super Falcons participated in the Olympics in 2000, 2004, and 2008.

Invited Super Falcons players
Super Falcons Goalkeepers
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Monle Oyono (Bayelsa Queens)


Super Falcons Defenders
Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca FC, Mexico); Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Paris Saint Germain, France); Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)

Super Falcons Midfielders
Halimatu Ayinde (Rosengard FC, Sweden); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Regina Otu (AS Saint Etienne, France)


Super Falcons Forwards
Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Feminine, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday ((Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Opeyemi Ajakaye (FC Robo Queens)

Super Eagles player Kelechi Iheanacho was once again on the score sheet as Leicester City defeated Stoke City 2-0 at the King Power stadium in Saturday’s Championship tie.

It is Iheanacho’s third goal in his last three games in the Championship also, he has scored four goals and made one assist in 11 league appearances this season.

Iheanacho opened the scoring for Leicester in the 24th minute. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall centered the ball for Ricardo Pereira, waiting for it on the edge of the box.

Pereira slipped the ball through to Iheanacho whose low drive whizzed through the legs of Stoke keeper Mark Travers and inside the near post from a tight angle.

The Nigerian international was subbed off in the 77th minute for his compatriot Wilfred Ndidi and he was given a standing ovation by the home fans.

Ndidi lived up to the expectations in his new position as he assisted former England international Jamie Vardy for the second goal in the 79th minute and ended the game at 2-0.

He now has three assists in the league and four in all competitions this campaign.

Meanwhile, Iheanacho was given the Man of the Match award for the encounter played at the King Power Stadium.

The results of the fan’s votes, posted on Leicester’s X, saw Iheanacho finish top with 53 percent.

Cesare Casadei polled 21.4 percent to place second while Harry Souttar was third with 16.4 percent.

Up next for both Iheanacho and Ndidi is the double header international friendly games against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique in Portugal.

FIFA has confirmed Seychelles as hosts of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025 as the tournament will take place in Victoria, Mahé Island in May 2025.

The 13th FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will take place in the paradisiacal setting of Victoria, which is on Mahé Island in the Seychelles, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and coral reefs, from 1 to 11 May 2025.

The awarding of the hosting rights to the Seychelles was made official by world football governing body, FIFA which included other key decisions made by the FIFA Council.

This will be the 13th edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™, with Africa being awarded the hosting rights for the first time since the tournament’s inception back in 2005 – another clear demonstration of Africa’s unquestionable capabilities of staging world-class football events.

While this will be the very first time the FIFA Beach World Cup™ is hosted on African soil, the continent is certainly no strangers to the competition, with the most recent achievement being a fourth place finish by current African champions Senegal, who were joined by Mozambique at last year’s finals in Russia.

For the host nation, this will be their second time hosting an international Beach soccer tournament after hosting the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, which saw Madagascar being crowned champions.

Ahead of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, Egypt will host the 2024 edition of the CAF Beach Soccer AFCON, which will serve as a qualifier to the global showpiece to be staged by the Seychelles in 2025.

The draws for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup have been conducted and it was a big task for the Nigerian representative Rivers United.

The Pride of Rivers reached the group stage for the second consecutive time after they defeated Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso 2-0 aggregate.

The draws which were conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa saw Rivers United being placed in Group C alongside Tunisia Ligue One giants, Club Africain, Dream FC of Ghana, and APC Lobito of Angola.

Coached by Stanley Eguma, Rivers United patch tent Club Africain in the same competition six years ago with the Tunisian side beating United home and away which culminated in the Nigerians finishing bottom of their group. They will hope for a better fortune this time.

The top two teams in the group will earn a berth in the quarter-finals.

To maintain Nigeria’s continental football coefficient, the Pride of Rivers must get into the knockout round of the competition.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian side survived the group stage last season but lost out in the quarter-final to Yanga SC of Tanzania.

The group stage of the competition is expected to commence on the weekend of November 26 with Rivers United hosting Academica Petroleos do Lobito of Angola at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

The first three group-stage games will be played in three consecutive weekends between November ending and mid-December, meaning that domestic activities for participating clubs is expected to take a hit.

Group A:

• USMA

• Future FC

• SuperSport United

• Al Hilal

Group B:

• Zamalek SC

• Sagrada

• SOAR

.Abu Salim

Group C

Rivers United

Club Africaine

Dream FC

Lobito FC

Group D

. RS Berkane

. Diables Noirs

. Stade Malien

. Sekhukune United.