SPECTACULAR 9JA

In this season of football politics in Nigeria, one of the presidential candidates, Bar. Seyi Akinwunmi has said that he will focus on four key areas if voted in as the next President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). He revealed this onTuesday in Abuja when he made an official declaration to contest for NFF President at an event attended by top football stakeholders. He stated that his mission is to create an inclusive and vibrant football both on the field and in the administration of the game. “My mission is to create an inclusive, vibrant and efficient football ecosystem beginning at the grassroot to develop a sustainable national football culture, provide pathways to success and fully exploit the Nigerian entrepreneurial spirit,” Barr. Akinwunmi said.  “My action plan is structured across four key growth drivers which are development, business of football, infrastructure, and technology. “I want to transform Nigeria into an epitome of ...

Nigeria National League side Ottasolo FC were a match for NPFL Kwara United in their clash at the ongoing Value Jet Cup in Ikenne. Ottasolo fell behind early in the first half when Taofeeq Ahmed nods the ball into the far right corner of the goalkeeper but responded through Bambo Ademola from the penalty spot almost immediately. The 1-1 scoreline was maintained going into the break although both sides could have taken the lead. The second half birth an entirely new Ottasolo FC, as the Lagos based side held their grounds against CAF Confederation Cup campaigner, Kwara United. The goalkeeper if Ottasolo and the defence line were up to the task keeping at bay the attacking line of Kwara United from hitting the back of their net. Ottasolo were presented with scoring chances of their own but failed to utilise them. An interesting second half failed to produce any goal as the game finished Kwara United 1-1 Ottasolo FC at the Remo Stars stadium Ikenne. Credit :  Nigeriasoccern...

NPFL Transfer Update: Akwa United and Flying Eagles Centre Back, Sholumade Boluwaji is on the radar of Enyimba International FC of Aba.  The sensatinal centre back is expected to land in Aba for Medicals as Enyimba representatives are still sorting out personal terms and transfer fee with Sholumade representative. Enyimba are working hard to finalize the deal before the end of this week.

Nigeria Professional Football League side, Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan have unveiled Gbenga Ogunbote as their new head coach. The unveiling ceremony took place at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan on Monday afternoon. Ogunbote takes charge from Edith Agoye, who had his contract terminated at the end of last season. The experienced tactician left another NPFL side, Remo Stars early this month after the expiration of his one-year contract. The former Enugu Rangers International and Giwa FC soccer tactician, who sign on a dotted line with the Oluyole Warriors was presented to the stakeholders in presence of Oyo state commissioner for youths and sports, Hon Seun Fakorede, Chairman Oyo state Sports Council, Hon Gbenga Adewusi ‘Arole’, Chairman Shooting Stars, Hon Babatunde Olaniyan, former Shooting Stars Baba Lankondoro, Gboyega Makinde, Barrister Jubril Mohammed, Oyo state executive member, Kazzem Ibadan and Tobi Oyewunmi. Speaking at the unveil...

English Championship side Birmingham City are interested in signing big Super Eagles striker Simy Nwankwo from Salernitana this summer. The blues are looking to return to the Premier League, but they are short of options in the striker position. And Simy has been identified as the man to help their goal scoring problems. Simy became known in the Serie A when he scored 20 goals for Crotone in the top-flight. Despite his feat, they were still relegated to Serie B at the end of the season. The Nigerian striker then initially joined Salernitana on loan and before making the move permanent a few months into his loan spell. Simy struggled with Salernitana as he scored just one Serie A goal in 19 games before being sent on loan to Parma. Still, Simy failed to prove his importance, as he recorded just one goal in 12 Serie B games. The 30-year-old has since returned to Salernitana, and has barely featured for the side. The Super Eagles striker is currently valued at €1.5 million whi...

Cardiff City manager, Steve Morison has heaped praises on Nigerian international Jamilu Collins, declaring he’s the best in his position in the English Championship. Collins, who is currently injured, is expected to spend some time on the sidelines and the manager is hoping the player will recover in time. It was in the game between Cardiff and West Brom at The Hawthorns on Wednesday that the Super Eagles defender was taken off just in the ninth minute of their English Championship encounter that ended 0-0 goalless. The former SC Paderborn man has been one of the Bluebirds’ top performers since he joined during the transfer window. Collins has featured in all of their four Championship fixtures helping his side  to keep three clean sheets. Morison, who is yet to know the extent of the Nigerians’ injury, hopes his knee injury isn’t as bad as suspected. “We don’t know the extent of Collins’ injury at the minute, in all honesty,” Morison said as per Wales online. “He will ...

According to reports in the Turkish media, Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are interested in signing Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho. Iheanacho, who has been an established member of Leicester City, joined them in 2017 after leaving Manchester City for a fee worth over €27 million. However, the 25-year-old has always been behind old horse Jamie Vardy in the pecking order at the King Power Stadium and with the interest from Turkey his time at the club could be coming to an end. According to the Turkish news outlet Futbol Meydani, the former Turkish champions have already reached out to the Premier League club regarding a move for the Nigeria international. Iheanacho is presently valued at €20 million (Transfermarkt) but negotiations are reportedly progressing positively, with Fenerbahce offering to take Iheanacho on a season-long loan, with the option to make the move permanent at the end of this campaign. The former City man has just two years left on his current Leice...

Turkish champions Trabzonspor are keen on a move for Watford’s Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekong. Troost-Ekong joined Watford from the Italian side Udinese, a part of the Pozzo family of clubs including the Hornets. Since arriving in late September 2020, the Dutch-born Nigerian international has made 52 appearances for the Hertfordshire club. He has scored just the one goal. Watford find themselves competing in the Championship this season. Troost-Ekong has been a part of these plans, having made a brief appearance from the bench and twice being an unused sub. 28-year-old Troost-Ekong has been at Watford since 2020 but before that, he spent a year in Turkey with Bursaspor. The dependable centre-back made 32 appearances for the Turkish side that year, scoring three goals. He is now wanted back there with Trabzonspor looking at a loan deal and option to buy. Reports elsewhere state that Trabzonspor have already had a loan offer rebuffed by Watford. These reports put ...

Former Sunshine Stars and Remo Stars Head Coach Gbenga Ogunbote has landed in Ibadan ahead of his official presentation as the new head coach of Shooting Stars. Former Remo Stars gaffer Gbenga Ogunbote will be unveiled as the new head coach of the club today. Ogunbote guided Remo Stars to the third position last season but decided to leave the club at the expiration of his contract. Ogunbote’s third journey to Shooting Stars has long been confirmed by top club official, and the Oracle as fondly called has now arrived the city of Ibadan – to be presented to the media, fans, supporters and other stakeholders today. His assignment with the Oluyole Warriors will be to stabilize the team and return them to their glory days. Credit :  Abbeylivenetwork

Nigeria's U20 girls have been eliminated from the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in Costa Rica after a 2-nil defeat in the hands of Netherlands in the quarterfinal. Having raised the hopes of Africans and Nigerians in particular with great performance at the group stage with maximum nine points in three group matches, the Falconets failed to proceed to the semifinal with shock defeat to Netherlands. The Christopher Danjuma led girls conceded two first half goals which were as much as they've conceded in the tournament thus far. Although, the goals could have been avoided but a poor defending from the Nigerian defence gifted the Netherlands the two goals that confirmed Nigeria's ouster. Netherlands raced to an early lead in the twelveth minute when a cross into Nigeria's box, which captain, Oluwatosin Dimehin couldn't clear out ideally. Dimehin's clearance was in turn chested by Zera Hilswit who then fired an effort past goalkeeper, Monie Oyono. The F...

Britain’s Leon Edwards sensationally knocked out Kamaru Usman to win the welterweight title at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Behind on points in the fifth, Edwards, 30, landed a left high-kick to stun Nigeria’s pound-for-pound number one fighter. Edwards becomes the first British champion since Michael Bisping in 2016 and only the second in history. “You all doubted me, saying I couldn’t do it – look at me now,” said Edwards. “I’m from the trenches. I’m built like this. I’ve been doubted my whole life but look at me now.” In beating Usman, Birmingham’s Edwards avenges his defeat in 2015 and ends the 35-year-old’s 15-fight unbeaten streak in the UFC. Edwards is only the second British fighter to hold a UFC title, following the footsteps of Michael Bisping, who won the middleweight tile in 2016. On a streak of 15 wins in the UFC coming into the bout, Usman struggled in the first round. Edwards, whom he beat in their only previous meeting in 2015, shocked him by...

Out-going President of the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick at the weekend warned that incorrigible violators of the FIFA –approved NFF Statutes risk several sanctions, which could include and may not be limited to outright ban from participation in the beautiful game.  Pinnick, who is also a Member of the CAF Executive Committee, made this statement in the light of further threats by certain forces within the football ecosystem to drag Nigeria Football to court for nothing more than peaceful conduct of the 77th Annual General Assembly that took place in Lagos on Thursday. “I want to say that enough is enough. We have tolerated these individuals for much longer than necessary. I am leaving the position of NFF Presidency in a few weeks but I am still a Member of the FIFA Council and I can talk about Nigeria Football anywhere. It is time to call the bluff of these persons. Their actions not only malign and defame the NFF; these ...

Nigerian UFC champion Kamaru Usman is confident he will outclass Leon Edwards in their UFC welterweight clash on Saturday. Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards will meet again seven years after their first bout as they challenge for the UFC welterweight title at Salt Lake City’s Vivnit Arena. In their first fight, Usman edged Edwards by unanimous decision in December 2015 and continued a solid career path for him, while the Briton has suffered more to get to the big fights. Usman is currently the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC, The Nigerian is one of the most powerful champions in recent years and this Saturday at UFC 278 he will expose his welterweight title against Leon Edwards, who is presented as the main threat to end Usman’s dominance. Crefit : Owosport 

The FA have charged Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte following their spat during Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur’s dramatic 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Tuchel has been issued a £35,000 fine and a suspended one-game ban, meaning he’ll still be on the touchline for the Blues’ trip to Leeds on Sunday. Conte, meanwhile, has been handed a £15,000 fine. Chelsea boss Tuchel criticised referee Anthony Taylor post-match, suggesting that “maybe it would be better” if Taylor never refereed his side again. “An independent Regulatory Commission has today ordered that Thomas Tuchel be fined £35,000 and banned from the touchline for one match, and Antonio Conte be fined £15,000 after they respectively breached FA Rule E3,” an FA statement read. “Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte admitted that their behaviour after the final whistle of the Premier League game between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC on Sunday 14 August 2022 was improper, and both managers requested a paper hearing...

By: Onyekachi Chimezie Head coach of Super Eagles B Salisu Yusuf has made it clear that the team’s goal is not to exact revenge for Nigeria’s defeat to Ghana on the way to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The 60-year-old coach was reinstated by the NFF as Super Eagles’ assistant coach and the head coach of the U-23 national team as well as the CHAN team in April said his current team is more concerned about qualifying for Algeria 2023 rather than aiming for a ‘revenge.’ “I won’t say we are seeking revenge against Ghana because of what happened in the last game on the road to the Qatar World Cup. We want to win and qualify for the final stage of the competition in Algeria next year. That is basically what we are pursuing.” The former Enyimba and Kano Pillars manager who took the Eagles B to a second place finish at the championship in Morocco 2018 concluded that fans can choose to call it anything they like after the outcome of the match during a session at the training pitch ...

NFF Presidential Race: The Contenders, The Outsiders, The Pretenders, And The Underdogs. After months of anxious wait, the stage is now set for one of the most eagerly awaited and keenly contested FA elections in history..  On Thursday in Lagos, the 77th NFF Annual General Assembly reeled out the names of members of the electoral and appeals committees and fixed September 30, 2022 as date for the elective congress which will now take place in Benin, the Edo state Capital.  As the buildup to this day gathers momentum, NSM Media chief, Adewale Ajayi, has taken time to dig deep and now has the names of all the key contenders, the outsiders, the pretenders and the underdogs.  To arrive at this conclusion, the writer made wide consultations, called a few friends and added his usual permutations. He is no stranger jn the game and has a pedigree as one of the most traveled, most connected and most feared Nigerian sports journalists alive.  From his vantage posit...

Police uncover ritualist den with 20 mummified bodies in Benin Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have uncovered a ritualist den with 20 mummified corpses in Benin City, the Edo State capital. The command’s spokesperson, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu, in a statement on Wednesday, August 17, said the suspected ritualist den was uncovered along Asoro slope, off Ekenhuan road, in Uzebu quarters. According to Iwegbu, operatives of the command stormed the scene following credible intelligence received. Three suspects were arrested while others fled. The statement read, “In pursuance of its operational mandate of nipping crimes in the bud, Operatives of the Edo State Police Command 17/08/2022 unravelled a suspected ritual shrine. Following credible information at the Command’s disposal that some corpses were discovered in a building along Asoro slope off Ekenhua road, Uzebu quarters,Benin city. Operatives of the command immediately swung into action and mobilized to the...

The extraordinary congress of the Nigeria Football Federation announced that Friday, September 30 at the ancient city of Benin, which will be the new date for elections into the executive board of the Federations. This was gathered from the delayed 2021 Annual General Assembly (AGA) held on Thursday August 18th 2022 at the Chateux De Atlantique Hotel, Lagos. The new election date is a 10 days elongation as against September 20th which was originally fixed for the elections. This mark the end of Amaju Malvin Pinnick’s eight year reign as President of Nigeria’s apex football body. The 44-man Congress did rejected October 20th which was the proposed as the election date, but the Congress adopted the original date, September 30th. However, the Congress men unanimously expressed high praise and admiration for the courage and resilience of the NFF Executive Committee led by Amaju Melvin Pinnick.  However, 12 man committee has been set up to draw the road map of the forthcomin...

Reports: NFF plans to shut media out of Annual General Assembly in Lagos There are strong indications that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have concluded plans to shut out the media from its Annual General Assembly(AGA) billed for Lagos on Thursday, August 18. The 77th Annual general assembly of the NFF has occupied the front burner of discussion lately owing to its defining impact on the next elective congress in September. Earlier scheduled also for the City of Lagos on 17th December last year, the event was put on hold as a result of an ex parte injunction issued by a Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State following the filing of a suit by some football stakeholders. While it was expected that the football body allow media access and full coverage of the Congress, many have now described the NFF decision to shut out media as a plan to gag the press. It’s also believed that NFF assembly shouldn’t be an exception to the precedents of both FIFA and CAF, who have...

Nigeria women’s under-20 national team will look to finish off their wins in three games when they slug it out with Canada cadet female national team on Thursday in their final group game at the ongoing 2022 FIFA u-20 Women World Cup slated for Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, Alajuela stadium by 3:00am.  The Falconets have been superb in log C, taming France women cadet team and Asian queens South Korea with a similar 1-0 scoreline. The Falconets and defending champions Japan are the only two teams who have a perfect win record in Costa Rica. And coach Chris Danjuma will be keen to keep the girls’ winning mentality. Nigeria have managed just two goals at this tournament, conceding none. Canada, on the other hand, have shipped five, scoring just once. Head to head Nigeria have met Canada twice at the FIFA u-20 Women World Cup, with the Falconets triumphing on both occasions. Both teams locked horns for the first time in the group stage of Russia 2006, with the Falcons edg...

The Nigeria Football Federation will host its 77th Annual General Assembly in Lagos on Thursday, 18th August 2022.  Earlier scheduled also for the City of Lagos on 17th December last year, the event was put on hold as a result of an ex parte injunction issued by a Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State following the filing of a suit by some football stakeholders. Thursday’s event is slated to hold at the Best Western Plus Hotel, Victoria Island and will welcome the Chairmen and Secretaries of the 44 Members of the NFF (Football Associations of all the 36 States and the FCT; the Leagues; Coaches Association; Referees Association and; the Players’ Union); Members of the NFF Executive Committee; invited dignitaries; NFF Management and Staff and; a number of other stakeholders. The General Assembly will consider a roadmap towards this year’s Elective Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation, as well as such items as may be proposed by the Members or Members of the ...

Adegboye Olaseni extol praise against Liberty All Stars  Evergreen All Stars President Adegboye Olaseni has attributed his team’s 3-2 slim win against Liberty All Stars as a superb performance. Speaking to Spectacular9ja exclusively, Adegboye Olaseni said his team played very well as luck was on their side. He reiterated that the result of the match did reflect the performance on the field of a better play, as he maintained that his team played better. “So I can say my team are superb with excellent performance. We played good football as luck count on our side,” he said. “Evergreen will continue the winning momentum,” Kehinde Adebayo told Spectacular9ja. Elsewhere, Vice President of Evergreen All Stars Kehinde Adebayo also praise his club side for a slim victory  Ahead of next game against Keke All Stars, Kehinde Adebayo stated that they will correct all the lapses noticed in their last win. “We want to make amends in the areas we made mist...

NFF Elections: "Influential Nigerians Mounting Pressure On Me To Run For Third Term" - Pinnick. Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has hinted at the possibility of going for a third term during the country’s football polls set for next month. In an exclusive interview with People Sport in Nairobi on Monday, Pinnick who also doubles as a member of the Fifa Council representing Anglophone countries as well as a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee, said he has received a lot of requests asking him to seek re-election. “I had initially decided not to vie, but I have been receiving several calls from very influential Nigerians as well as genuine lovers of the sport urging me to seek another term. It is within the law and I will decide about it when the right time comes,” he said. He added: “ I’m yet to talk to my family and my business associates though, but there are voices wanting me to continue.” Pinnick w...

Super Eagles forward, Taiwo Awoniyi scored the winning goal as Nottingham Forest pip West Ham United 1-0 in their Premier League clash on Sunday. Awoniyi fired home the winner for the Reds in first half added time. Harry Toffolo’s low cross found Jesse Lingard, whose shot ricocheted off a defender into the path of Awoniyi, who duly slotted the ball home. Awoniyi was replaced by Samuel Surrige on 72nd minutes. It was Nottingham Forest’s first Premier League goal at the City Ground since 1999. Chris Bart-Williams was the last player to score at the ground on May 16, 1999. The two teams had a goal chalked off for offside in the game . Said Benhrama had a goal ruled out five minutes before the break, while Brennan Johnson’s strike was cancelled out in the 54th minute. West Ham United missed the chance to equalise in the 64th minute when Declan Rice missed a penalty. Awoniyi was on the books of Liverpool for six years but could not make his Premier League debut during his time a...

9 The arrival of goalkeeper Adeyinka Adewale at the Bolton White Apartments in Abuja on Sunday afternoon has completed the body of invited players to the camp of the Super Eagles B, as Head Coach Salisu Yusuf and his assistants perfect strategies for the African Nations Championship qualifying match against Ghana in a fortnight.  The Akwa United FC first choice goalkeeper got clearance from the team’s management to sort out a few family matters before joining his teammates. The goalkeeper who was in the Super Eagles A squad for the friendlies against Mexico and Ecuador earlier in the year, as well as the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe in the month of June was full of elan and zest on arrival. Head Coach Yusuf on August 8 called to camp 35 players to battle for shirts ahead of the 2023 African Nations Championship qualifying fixture. The first set of 31 players arrived at the Bolton White Apartments on Wednesday, 1...

There are strong indications that all the NPFL Clubs participating in the 2022 AITEO Cup Competition which has entered its quarter final stage has resolved to pull out of the competition. Exclusivenews.com.ng scooped in Abuja on Monday that the leadership of the Clubs met visually at the weekend, and decided to pull out of the competition which would have given the winners the opportunity to represent the country in the Confederation cup. Our source who was part of the resolution said “we are not against Kwara United in any way. The point is that the leadership of NFF knew from the onset that they had submitted the name of Kwara United as the second slot for the Confederation cup, they went ahead to allow clubs to continue to to take part in competition that is a dead rubber game. Teams that have ended the regular league season, still kept the players together and traveling all round the country to participate in the tournament. The way it stands now there is no ne...

Nigeria international Kingsley Eduwo has a completed a move to Al Arabi on a free transfer.  After terminating his contract with Blood and Gold of Esperance, Kingsley Eduow will wear the shirt of Al Arabi of Kuwait, which he joins in the form of an undisclosed fee. The player had a short experience of six months at park B where he was never able to convince Radhi Jaïdi nor Nabil Maâloul who had quickly informed the leaders that he would like to free up a foreigner’s box by letting go as he will replace outgoing strikers Waleed Bakhet Hamid and Ablaye Mbengue. Eduwo is set to be formally introduced to the media at the weekend. He is no stranger to the region, having enjoyed stints at Al-Najaf FC and Al-Orooba, and his experience will be seen as vital for the Castle Of Trophies. The former Gateway United striker has had stints with Lobi Stars CS Sfaxien, Al-Najaf FC, Al-Orooba, and Esperance scoring three goals in 21 appearances for the Tunisian Champions. Credit : Abbeyl...

Gbenga Ogunbote has left his role as the Head coach of Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL) side Remo Stars . The experienced gaffer signed a one year contract with the Sky Blue Stars and seems to be ready for fresh challenge elsewhere. Ogunbote’s exit comes as a shock, given that he led Stars to the CAF Confederation Cup with a third-place finish in 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season. He has enjoyed a successful managerial career across Nigeria having worked at Sharks Shooting Stars, Giwa FC, Rangers, Enyimba and Sunshine Stars in the past. It’s left to be seen where his next destination would be. Credit : Owosport Source: Futbalgalore