Sports
Amaju Pinnick speaks about his FIFA board appointment
In an interview with ARISE News on Thursday, Pinnick, a former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, expressed humility and pride at the opportunity to serve in one of FIFA’s most strategic committees.
• Amaju Pinnick
The Deputy Chair of the FIFA Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee, Amaju Pinnick, has described his appointment as a recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in global sports governance.
In an interview with ARISE News on Thursday, Pinnick, a former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, expressed humility and pride at the opportunity to serve in one of FIFA’s most strategic committees.
“The importance of this is a recognition of Nigeria, as well as global sports. First, I’m saying that I’m humbled by the opportunity for me.
The Committee for Competitions is the most important committee, because FIFA is all about competitions, organising competitions, which also includes the World Cup, the U-20 and the U-17, even up to the Club World Cup,” he said.
Explaining the committee’s mandate, Pinnick noted that it plays a central role in managing and supervising FIFA’s global tournaments and the participation of national teams.
It’s a committee that has a responsibility. It has to be seen with national teams, with national team players, to be allowed to play in any of those competitions,” he stated.
Pinnick also highlighted the calibre of individuals serving alongside him, noting that the committee reflects the international breadth of football administration.
“A lot of people in the committee, even Danny Jordaan from South Africa, is a member of the committee. Danny Jordaan was chairman of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. So, we are very, very happy,” he said.
Sports
CAF Confirms Match Venues for 2026 World Cup playoffs
A draw scheduled for 30 October 2025 will determine which fixture is assigned to each venue.
The opening semi-final will see Nigeria’s Super Eagles take on Gabon at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), in collaboration with hosts Morocco, has officially confirmed the match venues and schedule for the African Qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Inter-Continental Playoff tournament.
The high-stakes mini-tournament will take place from 13 to 16 November 2025 in Rabat, Morocco, featuring four African powerhouses: Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
The semi-finals will be played on Thursday, 13 November 2025, at El Barid Stadium and the Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex.
A draw scheduled for 30 October 2025 will determine which fixture is assigned to each venue.The opening semi-final will see Nigeria’s Super Eagles take on Gabon at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT
Sports
NFF Extends Super Falcons coach Madugu’s Contract Until 2027
Each time the Super Falcons go out to play, there are always high expectations in terms of results and performance.
•Super Falcons head coach, Justin Madugu
Super Falcons head coach, Justin Madugu, says that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has extended his contract by two-year , for having guided the Super Falcons to their 10th WAFCON title this year.
The 10-time African champions qualified for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in a 1-1 draw with the Benin Republic in Abeokuta on Tuesday, which resulted in a 3-1 aggregate victory.
Madugu , during a press conference after the match, said : “I have been given a new contract from October 1, 2025, till October 1, 2027.”
He added that he was satisfied but not too happy with the performance in the second half as the Beninoise gained momentum after the equaliser.
“The draw didn’t come as a surprise because we knew it was going to be a tough game. It was not going to be an easy game based on what we knew about the Beninoise team,” Madugu said.“
However, I equally want to use this opportunity to apologise to Nigerians for not meeting their expectations.
Each time the Super Falcons go out to play, there are always high expectations in terms of results and performance. Sometimes there can be off days, there can be bad days, and we want to consider today’s match from that perspective,” the 61-year-old added.
Sports
Onuachu bags another award in Turkey
Onuachu has enjoyed a remarkable return to Turkish football this season. Recall that he played for Trabzonspor, on loan from Southampton two seasons ago. But at the end of the deal, he returned to England.
•Super Eagles striker, Paul Onuachu
Super Eagles striker, Paul Onuachu, has won the Turkish Super Lig Goal of the Month award for the month of September, Soccernet.ng reports.
Onuachu has enjoyed a remarkable return to Turkish football this season. Recall that he played for Trabzonspor, on loan from Southampton two seasons ago. But at the end of the deal, he returned to England.
However, after many speculations, both clubs agreed on the permanent sale of the 31-year-old striker.
Since his permanent transfer, the Super Eagles striker has contributed seven goals and one assist in ten games for the Black Sea Storm.
And some of them have been bangers.
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