Sports
DHQ Clarifies Facts About Canada Visas Denials to Invictus Games
Furthermore, the participation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, would have added mental strength to our troops.
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier -General Tukur Gusau, Defence Headquarters, this morning, presented the fact regarding Nigeria Military’s request for visas to attend Invictus Games in Canada.
In a statement, Brig. Gen Gusau, said that the need for accurate information at this time can not be overemphasized.
He explained: “Recently, the Nigerian Military received an invitation to participate in the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada.
Our team, comprising 3 officers and 21 players, including a team physiotherapist, eagerly looked forward to this opportunity, as the only African nation participating in the Games.
The Invictus Games Foundation catered for our team’s accommodation and feeding needs, along with those of other participating nations.
However, despite our best efforts, only 14 members of the team, excluding the team leader, captain, and physiotherapist, were granted visas.
Regrettably, seven of our athletes who had the potential to excel were denied visas, preventing them from participating in the Games.
Notwithstanding this setback, our team’s outstanding performance earned Nigeria gold, silver and bronze medals, proudly placing our nation and Africa on the global map of Invictus Games.
Furthermore, the participation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, would have added mental strength to our troops.
It is on record that the Chief of Defence Staff has initiated laudable efforts to boost the morale of our service personnel who risk their lives to protect our nation and its people.
The Invictus Foundation Centre,(first in Africa) currently under construction, is part of this initiative to provide care and mental healing for our wounded personnel.”
Sports
Tinubu commends Super Eagles despite World Cup miss
The president then called on “football administrators, players, and indeed all stakeholders” to return to the “drawing board” and “plug all the loopholes.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday commended the Super Eagles for “their efforts” after missing out on ticket for the 2026 World Cup.
On Sunday, the Super Eagles lost to DR Congo 4-3 on penalties in the final match of the African playoffs for the World Cup. The game had ended 1-1 after extra time.
“Notwithstanding the unfortunate loss, we must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them,” Tinubu said in a statement.
The president then called on “football administrators, players, and indeed all stakeholders” to return to the “drawing board” and “plug all the loopholes”.
“Now is the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations. Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory.”
The Super Eagles also missed out on the 2022 World Cup. It is the first time Nigeria have failed to qualify for two consecutive World Cups since the country’s debut in 1994.
The 2025 AFCON will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The Super Eagles are drawn in Group C against Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of engaging in “voodoo” practices during the penalty shootout of the African World Cup playoffs final on Sunday night.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing 4–3 on penalties, following a tense 1–1 draw after extra time.
Speaking to journalists after the defeat, Chelle claimed that members of the DR Congo technical crew were seen performing suspicious acts during the spot kicks.
According to him, someone on the Congolese bench appeared to use “some kind of water” to jinx Nigerian players before their attempts.
“During all the penalty sessions, DR Congo did some voodoo. Every time. Every time. That was why I was a bit nervous,” he said. “I saw something like water or something.”
Sports
Norway thrash Italy, qualify for first World Cup since 1998
Haaland scored the decisive brace in the space of seconds at a soaking San Siro for Norway, who completed Group I with a perfect 24 points from their eight qualifying matches.
Norway qualified for their first World Cup since 1998 after Erling Haaland struck again in a 4-1 thumping of Italy on Sunday which sealed a spot in next summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Haaland scored the decisive brace in the space of seconds at a soaking San Siro for Norway, who completed Group I with a perfect 24 points from their eight qualifying matches.
Norway would have had to lose by nine goals or more to be overtaken by Italy for the group’s only automatic place for next summer’s finals in North America.
Haaland’s father Alf-Inge was still an international player when Norway last competed in the World Cup 27 years ago, a tournament won by Zinedine Zidane-inspired France.
And the Manchester City striker will be one of the players to watch in North America after smashing in 16 goals during qualifying.
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