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Benjamin Fredrick ready to shine for Super Eagles upon return For AFCON qualifiers

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Benjamin Fredrick ready to shine for Super Eagles upon return For AFCON qualifiers Benjamin Fredrick is set to make his return to the Super Eagles as Nigeria prepare for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash against Madagascar on Friday. The young defender is back in the national team after recovering from a knee injury that kept him out for several months. Fredrick’s last appearance for Nigeria came during the 2026 FIFA World Cup African play-offs against DR Congo in November 2025, having also featured in the preceding clash against Gabon. His return provides head coach Eric Chelle with another versatile defensive option, having previously impressed in both central defence and at right-back since making his Super Eagles debut. Fredrick quickly established himself as a dependable member of the national team during his breakthrough campaign. He delivered a composed performance on his debut against Jamaica and subsequently featured prominently in Nigeria’s Wor...
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Awoniyi in training as Super Eagles begins preparation for AFCON qualifiers match against Madagascar

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Awoniyi in training as Super Eagles begins preparation for AFCON qualifiers match against Madagascar Photo credit: Just Fotos Media The Super Eagles have commenced preparations for Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash against Madagascar, with 20 players taking part in Tuesday evening’s training session in Uyo. The session was held under the watchful eyes of head coach Eric Chelle, who began assessing his available options as Nigeria stepped up preparations for the Group C encounter. Taiwo Awoniyi returned to the Super Eagles fold for the first time since 2024 and was among the attacking options involved in the session alongside Moses Simon, Akor Adams, George Ilenikhena, Ademola Lookman and Tolu Arokodare. The midfield department featured Alex Iwobi, Emmanuel Fernandez, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka and Chibuike Nwaiwu, while the defensive group included Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Benjamin Fredericks, Moses Usor, Ola Aina and Bright Os...
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Niger Tornadoes Chairman, Dr. Kuso convenes stakeholders meeting

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Niger Tornadoes Chairman, Dr. Kuso convenes stakeholders meeting  The Chairman of Niger Tornadoes Football Club, Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi Kuso (Dan Wadatan Nupe), today convened a strategic Football Stakeholders’ Meeting aimed at fostering unity, collaboration and a shared commitment to the development of football in Niger State. The meeting, held at Rashida Restaurant Conference Hall, along Shiroro Road, Minna, brought together football stakeholders from across the state, including officials of the Niger State Football Association (FA), football administrators, coaches, club representatives, supporters and other key stakeholders. Addressing participants, Dr. Abubakar Kuso emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in repositioning football in Niger State. He noted that meaningful progress can only be achieved through unity, cooperation and sustained engagement among all stakeholders. The Chairman reaffirmed the commitment of the Niger Tornadoes Fo...
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FIFA selects Nigerian Referee Kasimu Abdulsalam for U-17 World Cup duty

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FIFA selects Nigerian Referee Kasimu Abdulsalam for U-17 World Cup duty FIFA has selected Kasimu Abdulsalam, a Nigerian referee, as one of the officials for the upcoming 2026 FIFA men’s Under-17 World Cup. Abdulsalam is the only Nigerian referee on the list of 81 officials to officiate at the competition, set to take place in Qatar. His selection comes four years after Mimisen Iyorhe Calvin-Onwuka, another Nigerian match official, officiated at the 2022 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup as an assistant referee. Abdulsalam has been a FIFA-licensed official since 2022, one of four centre referees selected from Africa, with eight assistant referees joining the quartet. The 34-year-old had been a centre referee at two U-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 2023 and 2026. Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s chief refereeing officer and chairman of the FIFA referees committee, described the selected officials as the “most promising” referees who meet the demands going into the globa...
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High Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka Heads Kwara SWAN 2026 Week Committee

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High Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka Heads Kwara SWAN 2026 Week Committee The Kwara State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has appointed High Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka as Chairman of the Planning Committee for the 2026 Kwara SWAN Week. Chukwuemeka, a renowned sports administrator, peace and strategic scholar, will lead the committee responsible for planning and coordinating activities for the annual programme. Other members of the committee are one-time chairman of the body, Bunmi Adedoyin; former vice chairman, Toyin Saheed; veteran sportscaster, Bayour Issah; Kayode Alakija, Micheal Odetunde, Moyinoluwa Bankole and Nusirat Popoola.  Speaking on the committee, Kwara SWAN Chairman, Mallam Ayodeji Ismail, said the appointment was part of the chapter's commitment to ensuring a well-organised and impactful SWAN Week.  He expressed confidence in the ability of the committee members to work together and deliver a programme that would strengthen unity am...
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Commissioner Saina Buba Meets El-Kanemi Warriors FC Family, Reaffirms Commitment to Discipline and Welfare

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Commissioner Saina Buba Meets El-Kanemi Warriors FC Family, Reaffirms Commitment to Discipline and Welfare The Honourable Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development and Poverty Alleviation, Borno State, Comrade Saina Buba, has held a meeting with the Board Members, Technical Crew, Backroom Staff and players of El-Kanemi Warriors FC at the Colonel Abdulmumin Aminu Camp, Maiduguri. The work focused Commissioner began the meeting by congratulating the entire El-Kanemi Warriors FC family, as well as the club’s supporters across the world, for the remarkable progress and successes recorded by the team so far, particularly in the ongoing continental campaign. Comrade Saina Buba used the opportunity to emphasize the importance of discipline, unity and commitment among the players and staff. He urged everyone associated with the club to maintain the highest standards of discipline, stressing that discipline is essential for sustained success. “I want each and everyone in the te...
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709 Days Later: Awoniyi Returns to Super Eagles for AFCON Qualifiers

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709 Days Later: Awoniyi Returns to Super Eagles for AFCON Qualifiers Coventry forward Taiwo Awoniyi has been called up to replace Victor Osimhen in Nigeria’s squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. The Nigeria Football Federation announced the change via the official Super Eagles X account on Sunday. “Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi replaces Victor Osimhen in Nigeria’s squad for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. Welcome back, Taiwo,” the post read. Awoniyi, 29, recently joined newly promoted English club Coventry City from Nottingham Forest in a reported £9 million deal. His inclusion follows Osimhen’s withdrawal from the squad after the Galatasaray striker was ruled out of the two qualifiers due to a right adductor muscle strain. The injury had initially been expected to heal in time for the September international window, with Osimhen included in coach Eric Chelle’s squad in the hope...
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