Sports
FIFA opens major Africa office in Rabat
The opening of the office follows a signing of a Host Agreement last December in Marrakech between the key stakeholders: FIFA, the Kingdom of Morocco and Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
World soccer governing body, FIFA, has opened its major Africa office in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, further confirming the North African country as the hub of its operation on the continent.
The new office will coordinate with existing FIFA regional offices in Brazzaville, Dakar, Johannesburg and Kigali, in directing and implementing key policies for the development of African football across all levels.
The state-of-the-art office at the Mohammed VI Complex aims to strengthen support for African federations in their development projects and further reflects FIFA’s desire to establish a lasting presence on the continent.
The opening of the office follows a signing of a Host Agreement last December in Marrakech between the key stakeholders: FIFA, the Kingdom of Morocco and Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
Rabat becomes the latest city to host a FIFA office after Paris, Miami and Jakarta, and reinforces FIFA’s engagement with all regions and affirms commitment to developing football across the globe.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “Today is certainly a wonderful day, it’s a special day, a glorious day, a joyful day.
We will write, in gold letters, the wonderful history of FIFA, of football in Africa, of football in Morocco, of football in the world.
“It’s an incredible and beautiful complex, and I want to start by thanking Morocco, thanking His Majesty King Mohammed VI, for making this possible.
“It is witness to a country that is projected into the future, to a continent that is projected into the future, and to the work that all of us do for this incredible sport.”
Sports
Lagos wins 9th National Youth Games in Asaba
Lagos won 52 gold, 32 silver, and 26 bronze medals Delta, the host state, displaced Edo State to come second with 37 gold, 38 silver, and 39 bronze medals.Edo State garnered 33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze medals to finish third.
Team Lagos has emerged champion of the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.
Lagos won 52 gold, 32 silver, and 26 bronze medals Delta, the host state, displaced Edo State to come second with 37 gold, 38 silver, and 39 bronze medals.Edo State garnered 33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze medals to finish third.
Thirty-three states participated in the game. They won registered a total of 802 medals, comprising 246 gold, 236 silver and 320 bronze medals.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori urged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to urgently address the growing problem of age cheating at editions of the NYG in order to safeguard its credibility and ensure fairness.
Sports
Morocco qualify for 2026 World Cup
With the win, Morocco joins 16 other nations already confirmed for the expanded 48-team tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Morocco has become the first African nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This follows a dominant 5-0 victory over Niger in Rabat.
The Atlas Lions clinched top spot in Group E with ease, as Ismaeil Saibari struck twice in the first half before Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi added second-half goals against 10-man Niger, who had Abdul-Latif Goumey sent off.
With the win, Morocco joins 16 other nations already confirmed for the expanded 48-team tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Sports
Super Eagles vs Rwandan FIFA World Cup qualifying match on Saturday
Saturday’s showdown at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium comes five months and two weeks after the Super Eagles defeated the Amavubi 2-0 in the latter’s home ground in Kigali in a Matchday 5 encounter.
• Super Eagles coach, Stanley Nwabali
Rwanda’s delegation to Saturday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Nigeria will arrive in Lagos on Tuesday afternoon.
This is even as injured Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has assured top officials of both the NFF and the National Sports Commission (NSC) that he will be fully fit for Saturday’s 2026 World Cup showdown against Rwanda in Uyo.
Saturday’s showdown at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium comes five months and two weeks after the Super Eagles defeated the Amavubi 2-0 in the latter’s home ground in Kigali in a Matchday 5 encounter.
Nigeria Football Federation’s Director of Communication, Dr Ademola Olajire, disclosed that a one-man Rwanda advance party will be in Lagos today but the full delegation will make landfall in the commercial capital on Tuesday aboard a Rwandair Airline flight at 1.15pm, and will proceed to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State by 4pm of the same day.
Last week, Super Eagles No 1 goalkeeper Nwabali was stretchered off after he was injured while playing for his South African club Chippa United.
“He (Nwabali) has assured us he will be fit for the World Cup qualifiers against both Rwanda and South Africa,” a source told SCORENigeria.
“He spoke to NFF President (Ibrahim Gusau) and some other top officials in this regard,” the top football source said yesterday
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