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The stage is set for a thrilling 2025/26 *Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) season, and FC ROBO Queens are ready to light up the league once again in a home-and-away format that promises fierce competition, regional rivalries, and unforgettable football moments. ROBO Queens will compete alongside: - Confluence Queens   - Nasarawa Amazons   - Delta Queens   - Sunshine Queens   - Ahudiyannem Queens   - Dannaz Ladies   - Remo Stars Ladies   - Osun Babes   - Abia Angels   *Two major derbies are expected to capture the spotlight this season:* 🔵 *The Lagos Derby* – After four years, the rivalry between *FC ROBO Queens* and *Dannaz Ladies* returns to the national stage. Their last encounter was the 2023 Lagos State Federation Cup Final, where ROBO Queens clinched a commanding *4–1 victory*. The return of this derby promises fireworks and city-wide attention. 🟢 *The Southwest Derby* – With *Sunshine Queens*, *Remo Stars Ladies*, and *Osun Babes*...

Nigeria’s  2026 World Cup hopes  have suffered a huge blow as  five senior players  have officially been  ruled out  ahead of their crucial playoff against  Gabon ! 😩🔥 🚨  Ruled Out (Injury Concerns): ❌ Terem Moffi – Forward ❌ Felix Agu – Defender ❌ Ola Aina – Defender ❌ Cyriel Dessers – Forward ❌ Fisayo Dele-Bashiru – Midfielder ⚠️  Suspension: 🟥 Semi Ajayi – Defender  (Yellow card accumulation) 🤕  Major Doubt: ❓ Samuel Chukwueze –  Still battling fitness issues These absences could heavily affect the  Super Eagles’ preparations  ahead of their must-win  2026 FIFA World Cup Playoff  against  Gabon , scheduled for  November 13th . 🇳🇬💔 #SuperEagles #Nigeria #WorldCup2026 #NaijaFootball #FIFAWCQ #GabonVsNigeria #EaglesUnite #FootballUpdates #ACEChampion

Eight clubs have been seeded into two groups for the maiden edition of the Queens Cup Southwest Preseason Tourney scheduled to kickoff on Monday, November 3rd at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan. Queens Cup is powered by Assamokee International in conjunction with Oyo State Government and fully endorsed by the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) body. The participating teams are FC Robo Queens, Remo Stars Ladies, Wazbak Queens, Phoenix Queens, Dannaz Ladies, Pacesetter Queens, Nakamura FA and DreamStar Ladies. In Group A, Remo Stars Ladies are drawn against Robo Queens, Wazbak Queens and Phoenix Queens  Group B has Dannaz Ladies, Pacesetter Queens, Nakamura FA and DreamStar Ladies. The official kickoff of the tournament will see host, Pacesetter Queens trade tackles with DreamStar Ladies by 2pm on Monday. The biggest encounter of the day is the heavyweight clash between Remo Stars Ladies and Robo Queens by 4pm. An early kickoff game between Wazbak Queens and Phoenix at 8am will se...

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has emphasized that the strength and vibrancy of the sports media remain central to unlocking Nigeria’s sports economy and driving sustainable growth across the sector. Speaking as the keynote speaker at the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) 60th Diamond Anniversary Lecture, themed “The Power of Sports Media: Honouring its Legacy, Shaping the Future,” Olopade described sports media as a catalyst for national economic transformation. He noted that every major economy that has successfully monetized sports, from the United States to South Africa, has done so by leveraging the power of strong media ecosystems. “Broadcast rights, streaming, digital content creation, and storytelling have become major global revenue streams. Nigeria must now position itself to benefit from this same transformation,” Hon. Olopade stated. Outlining strategic steps toward achieving this goal, the NSC Director General ...

The stage is set for another exciting season of women’s football as the  2025/2026 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership  draws have been officially released. The new season will  kick off on November 26, 2025 , and is expected to conclude on  April 22, 2026 . GROUP A Bayelsa Queens FC Edo Queens FC Adamawa Queens FC Pacesetter Queens FC Heartland Queens FC Ekiti Queens FC Naija Ratels FC Ibom Angels FC Castmog Ladies FC Rivers Angels FC GROUP B Confluence Queens FC Nasarawa Amazons FC Delta Queens FC Sunshine Queens FC Ahudiyaannem Queens FC Dannaz Ladies FC Remo Stars Ladies FC Osun Babes FC Abia Angels FC FC Robo Queens FC At the end of the season,  six teams will be relegated  — making the competition even fiercer as clubs battle for supremacy and survival. 🔥  Let the battle begin! Women’s football is set to thrill fans once again across the nation.

Rugby has been confirmed among the 22 sporting events approved for the 27th Nigeria University Games (NUGA), scheduled to take place at the University of Jos, Plateau State, from November 6 to 16, 2025. According to the organisers, the approved sports include rugby, tennis, table tennis, athletics, badminton, basketball, chess, cricket, handball, judo, taekwondo, scrabble, swimming, football, volleyball, hockey, boxing, e-sports, rowing and yachting, karate, beach volleyball, and squash. Reacting to the inclusion of rugby, the President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), Dr. Ademola Are, described it as a “welcome development” and a testament to the tireless efforts of stakeholders who have continued to advocate for the sport. “This is encouraging and the reward for the consistent efforts of those who keep speaking for rugby in the right places. We must continue to project the sport until it gets the recognition it truly deserves,” he said. In his acceptance speech after ...

The inaugural edition of the Queens Cup, a Southwest Preseason Tourney has been scheduled to take place in Ibadan from Monday 3rd November to Sunday 9th of November 2025. The elite preseason competition is powered by Assamokee International will host ten Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) clubs which will see six Premiership teams and four coming from the Championship. Powered by Assamokee International, supported by the Oyo State Government, and officially endorsed by the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), the competition is more than a warm-up for the 2025/26 season. It is a declaration of a prestigious tourney for the development of women’s football in Nigeria. Founder of Assamokee International, Dr. AbdulRahmon Abolore emphasized the tournament’s core objective which is to elevate the standard of the game through strategic competition and detailed feedback. Addressing the rigorous schedule which pits top teams against each other in a condensed eight-day period, Abolore defende...

After a 20-year absence from the world medal table, Nigeria’s Taekwondo team has made a remarkable comeback as Elizabeth Anyanacho delivered a resilient performance at the ongoing World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi, China. Anyanacho, the reigning African Champion competing in the -67kg category, showcased exceptional skill and determination to defeat Uzbekistan’s Sobibronova O. in two thrilling rounds, 8–6 and 10–9, to advance to the semi-finals — a result that guarantees Nigeria at least a bronze medal. Reacting to the historic achievement, President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Grand Master Tayo Popoola, hailed Anyanacho’s success as a product of hard work and perseverance. > “I have been following the championship closely and I’m overjoyed with Elizabeth’s progress. She has shown great dedication over the years, and this result proves that Nigeria is returning to the global Taekwondo stage,” Popoola said. The Federation President expressed strong belief that Anyanacho ...

The  Governor of Ogun State ,  His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON , on Monday hosted the  Super Falcons of Nigeria  at his office in  Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta , ahead of their second-leg clash against the  Amazons of Benin Republic in the  2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Qualifiers . In recognition of their inspiring performances and to further motivate the team ahead of the crucial encounter,  Governor Abiodun  announced a  ₦50 million support package  for the Super Falcons. Speaking during the reception, the Governor highlighted the significance of the team’s visit and the match’s return to  the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta . “Their return to the MKO Abiola International Stadium is a validation that we are doing something right in Ogun State,” the Governor said. “Beyond hosting matches, we are transforming the stadium environment with plans to develop a world-class sports hub — complete with a...

📅 2025-2026 Season | ⚖️ New Laws Officially Come Into Effect 📝 Here are the most notable amendments announced by the International Football Association Board (IFAB): 1️⃣ Amendment to Law 3 - Players 👤 Only the team captain is allowed to speak to the referee during the match, not all players. 2️⃣ Amendment to Law 5 - Referees ⏱️ ​​The referee will use a countdown signal for the last 5 seconds of the 8 seconds allowed for the goalkeeper. 3️⃣ Amendment to Law 8 - Dropped Ball 📍 If the ball is inside the penalty area at the time of the stoppage, it is dropped to the defending team's goalkeeper. ⚽ In other cases, the ball is dropped to the team that would have had possession of the ball, or, if it is unclear, to the team that last touched the ball. 4️⃣ Amendment to Law 9 - Ball Out of Play 🚫 If a coach or substitute touches the ball while it is going out of play to speed up play: 🔹 An indirect free kick is awarded to the opponent. 🔹 No cautions or cards are given unless the offen...

AFTER SUCCESSFUL CONDUCT OF SPORTS FEDERATION ELECTIONS The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko has praised the Director General of the Commission Hon. Bukola Olopade, following the successful and smooth  conduct of the National Sports federation elections held over the weekend in Abuja. The National Sports Commission conducted what will go down as one of the most transparent and peaceful federation elections across 18 Sports, resulting in new Presidents and Board members  for the next four years. Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, while congratulating the newly elected members, showered special praise on the DG for his dogged, firm and charistmatic role in the smooth conduct of the polls. " This is one of the most peaceful federation elections that has been conducted in this country in recent times and the DG played a significant role for this to be achieved as he stood firm to uphold integrity, transparency and jus...

The National Sports Commission recently conducted elections across 18 Federations, resulting in new Presidents and Board members being inaugurated at the Moshood Abiola Stadium. The Leaders emphasise the need for accountability and transparency, as these individuals will be tasked with growing their respective Federations to expand beyond existing limits. Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, congratulated the newly elected members on being chosen by their peers, stakeholders, and the nation. He highlighted that the election is a responsibility call to service,  innovation, and economic contributions through sports.  The Chairman further emphasised the need for collaboration among all stakeholders,  including athletes, coaches, officials,and administrators ,as well as unity within the Federation under this new agenda. Dikko emphasized  that responsibility  is not only ceremonial  but expected to be active, innovative,  and res...

On Tuesday, 28th October, 2025, at Pitch 2 of the Football Academy Mohamed VI, Rabat, Nigeria's Flamingos will confront Italy in a much-anticipated Round of 16 match at the ongoing FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in Morocco, with a spot in the quarter-finals up for grabs.   Both countries will be meeting for the first time at this stage of the competition. Italy with three straight wins, viz a thrilling 4-3 victory over Brazil, 3-1 victory over host Morocco, and another commanding 3-0 victory over Costa Rica, led Group A with maximum points and arrive in Rabat in fine form.   Nigeria, on the other hand, qualified as one of the best third-place teams, after a tough opening to the tournament with a 4-1 loss to Canada and a narrow 1-0 loss to France. They recovered well with a decisive 4-0 victory over Samoa to guarantee their spot in the Round of 16.   The Flamingos will be hoping to improve on that outcome and contend for a spot in the quarter-finals with new-found confidence a...

Hon. Gbenga Adewusi, popularly known as “Arole”, has emerged as the Southwest Zonal Representative for the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) after defeating his opponent, Mr. Adeyemi George  from Ogun State, with a vote margin of 5–1. The by-election, which was initially interrupted and disrupted on 27th September 2025 at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, by the support of his opponent, and it was postponed and rescheduled to take place in Abuja on 25th October 2025. The election was duly conducted at the National Sports Commission Indoor Hall, Abuja, where Hon. Adewusi secured a convincing victory, reaffirming his strong presence and influence in Southwest sports administration. Following his victory, Hon. Gbenga Adewusi expressed deep gratitude in his post-election remarks. He dedicated his success to God Almighty and to the immediate past President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria, Mr. Samuel Ocheho, for his leadership and support. He also extended his appreciation to His Exc...

  If the  Super Eagles of Nigeria  🇳🇬 successfully navigate the  CAF Play-Off Tournament  in November, they will advance to the  FIFA Inter-Confederation Playoffs , scheduled for  March 2026  — the final gateway to the  2026 FIFA World Cup . 🏆 The Teams Involved The inter-confederation playoffs will feature  six nations  from  five confederations : CAF (Africa):  1 team (possibly Nigeria 🇳🇬) AFC (Asia):  1 team — either  Iraq 🇮🇶  or the  United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪 CONMEBOL (South America):   Bolivia 🇧🇴 OFC (Oceania):   New Caledonia 🇳🇨 CONCACAF (North & Central America, Caribbean):  2 teams — to be determined in November ⚙️ Tournament Format The six-team playoff will be structured to favour the  two highest-ranked teams  in the  FIFA World Rankings , who will automatically advance to the  two separate finals . Here’s how it works: The two top-ranked teams...

Super Eagles captain,  William Troost-Ekong , has assured Nigerians that the national team will give their all in next month’s  CAF Play-Off Tournament  for the  2026 FIFA World Cup , scheduled to take place in  Morocco . Speaking on Wednesday morning, the experienced defender expressed optimism following Nigeria’s emphatic  4–0 victory over Benin Republic  in Uyo on Tuesday — a result that confirmed the team’s place in the CAF play-offs, the final stage before the intercontinental qualifiers in Mexico next March. “We are quite happy to have this opportunity. It’s been a long road, but it’s a path we must take,” Troost-Ekong said. “We would have loved to secure the automatic ticket, but that didn’t happen. Still, we’ll stay strong, remain focused, and give our best to overcome every challenge on our way to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.” Reflecting on the team’s dominant performance, the Super Eagles skipper praised his teammates’ commitment and unity. “It w...

As the final round of matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African Qualifiers approaches, Nigeria’s chances of securing a spot hang in the balance. Here’s a detailed breakdown of all possible outcomes: 1. Automatic Qualification Scenarios A. If South Africa draw or lose vs Rwanda, and Nigeria defeat Benin by any margin with a clean sheet, Nigeria will qualify automatically for the World Cup. B. If South Africa win, Nigeria will miss out on automatic qualification, regardless of their result against Benin. C. If South Africa drop points (draw/lose) and Benin draw or beat Nigeria, then Benin will qualify automatically. 2. Best Second-Place / Playoff Route — The Eritrea Withdrawal Factor Due to Eritrea’s withdrawal from the qualifiers, some teams in their group will have points deducted, affecting the ranking of the best second-placed teams. Here’s how the adjusted table looks for potential playoff contenders after deductions 👇🏽 Team Current Points Deduction Adjusted Points Matche...

‎ ‎The management of Bendel Insurance Football Club has approved the appointment of Coach Kennedy Boboye as the Technical Manager of the club. ‎ ‎The appointment follows a mutual agreement between the management of the Benin Arsenals and Coach Boboye for him to assume full responsibility for the club’s technical department with immediate effect. ‎ ‎After a thorough evaluation, the management found Coach Boboye suitable for the role and has offered him a substantive two-year contract. The decision is based on his proven track record, impressive credentials, and extensive experience in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). ‎ ‎Arrangements have been concluded for the official unveiling of the Delta-born tactician in Benin City on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. ‎ ‎The management of Bendel Insurance FC is optimistic that Coach Boboye’s appointment will usher in a new phase of improved performance and renewed confidence in the ongoing season. ‎ ‎Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of the Edo...

The Lagos State Sports Commission invites applications from qualified and committed coaches with a strong record of excellence and proven experience in athlete development, technical training, and performance management. This call seeks skilled coaches across various sporting disciplines who can lead Team Lagos athletes to achieve podium finishes at national and international competitions. Applicants must demonstrate a consistent record in athlete mentorship, tactical planning, and competition readiness, supported by recognised coaching certifications and verifiable achievements within the last five years. *Applications open on Monday, 13 October 2025, and close on Monday, 27 October 2025.* Interested coaches should complete the Team Lagos Coaches Application Form via https://lssc.lg.gov.ng/2025-lagos-coaches-enlistment/ The Commission will assess and shortlist coaches based on their competence, experience, and potential contribution to Team Lagos’ performance goals. Thank you. Signed...

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has officially requested the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Match Officials Appointment Committee to review the performances of five referees who officiated during  Matchday 8 (MD8) fixtures of the  2025/26 NPFL season . The matches in question include the  Kano Pillars vs Shooting Stars  encounter and the  Nasarawa United vs Rangers International  fixture. In a formal letter to the NFF, the NPFL management specifically called for a review and possible  stepping down  of the following officials from future league matches: Kano Pillars vs Shooting Stars (3SC) Centre Referee:  Mohammed B. Tuta (Adamawa State Referees Council) Assistant Referee 1:  Bem Japhet (Benue State) Assistant Referee 2:  Shehu Isah (Adamawa State) Nasarawa United vs Rangers International Centre Referee:  Ikechukwu Taiwo (Rivers State Referees Council) Assistant Referee:  Usman Opeyemi Edward (Osun State) Th...

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed a series of severe sanctions on Kano Pillars Football Club following violent incidents during their Matchday 8 fixture against Shooting Stars SC at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, on Sunday, October 12, 2025. In a summary jurisdiction notice dated October 13, 2025, and signed by NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league found Kano Pillars guilty of multiple breaches of its Framework and Rules relating to crowd control, security, and misconduct. According to the NPFL, the club failed to provide adequate and effective security during the match, allowing unauthorized individuals to gain access to restricted areas and the field of play. The notice also cited the club for failing to control its supporters, who were accused of harassing players, throwing dangerous objects, and assaulting match officials and the visiting team. As a result, the NPFL imposed the following sanctions: ₦1 million fine for failure to provide adequ...

Nigeria’s medal streak in Egypt continued as Rita Ferdinand soared to victory, clinching gold in the women’s up to 79kg category at the ongoing World Para Powerlifting Championships in Cairo, Egypt.  Ferdinand lifted an impressive 153kg to secure the world title and further cement Nigeria’s legacy in the sport. Her remarkable feat adds to Nigeria’s growing medal haul at the historic championship. Earlier in the day, Esther Nworgu won silver in the 50kg category, while Rukayat Opeyemi Ajiboye claimed bronze in the same class — narrowly missing gold to Venezuela’s Clara Fuentes, who edged out Nworgu for the top spot. The 11th World Para Powerlifting Championships, taking place from October 9–18, 2025, marks the first-ever edition to be hosted on African soil, a milestone event highlighting the continent’s growing influence in adaptive sports 

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has pledged full institutional support for Lagos Liga, an innovative private football league redefining grassroots and community football in Nigeria. This commitment was made by the Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, during a courtesy visit by Lagos Liga founder, Joshua J. Omojuwa, to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday. The meeting focused on the vision and seven-point agenda of Lagos Liga, a bold initiative designed to merge sports, youth empowerment, and the creative economy into a single thriving ecosystem. Hon. Olopade commended the Lagos Liga vision as being fully aligned with the mandate given to the Commission by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “The mandate that Mr. President gave the NSC, is to create an environment and structure that puts money into the pockets of Nigerians,” Hon. Olopade said. “Grassroots initiatives like the Lagos Liga are at the heart of the President’s thinking when he appointed Mallam Shehu ...

                                    PRESS RELEASE                       OYO STATE SPORTS COUNCIL OYO STATE WEIGHTLIFTING ATHLETE, LAWAL RAFIATU FOLASHADE, WINS THREE SILVER MEDALS AT IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN NORWAY Oyo State’s celebrated weightlifter, Lawal Rafiatu Folashade, has once again brought pride to the state and the nation by winning three silver medals for Nigeria at the 2025 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championship held in Forde, Norway, on October 4, 2025. The 2022 Commonwealth Gold Medalist and fifth-place finisher at the Paris 2024 Olympics delivered another stellar performance on the global stage, competing in the 58kg women’s category. Folashade lifted 101kg in Snatch and 128kg in Clean and Jerk, achieving a total of 229kg, which earned her second place overall, finishing just behind Kim II Gyong of North...

Lagos State to host historic first National Sports Commission Intermediate Games in 2026 *  The National Sports Commission, NSC , has announced Lagos State as the Host for the first edition of the National Intermediate Games in 2026. The concept of the intermediary games is one of the RHINSE initiatives of the National Sports Commission to structurally earnest, monitor and develop the country's Sporting talents within the ages of 16-19 . Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko , said as a country, Nigeria must have a proper grassroots model for the discovery of budding talents which will show an organic pathway system to the Elite cadre . " We are determined to have a sustainable podium success at International competitions but it will only come with having the right structure that can aide elite success and the intermediary games will strengthen our goals". " The bedrock of every sustained Sports development is an effective grassroots...