Sports
Football Analysts Question CAF’s Exclusion of Nigerian Referee on 2026 World Cup List
The chosen officials include Mauritania’s Dahane Beida, recognized for consistent performance, alongside established names like Algeria’s Mustapha Ghorbal, DR Congo’s Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo, Egypt’s Amin Omar, and Gabon’s Pierre Ghislain Atcho. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team comprises Algeria’s Lahlou Benbraham, Egypt’s Mahmoud Ashour, and Eswatini’s Letticia Viana.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the African referees and video assistants selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, notably without a single Nigerian official on the list.
This absence has fueled a wider discussion about African referee representation at the global tournament. While CAF’s selection features a blend of experienced and emerging talents, the most surprising omission for many across the continent is highly-rated Somali official Omar Abdulkadir Artan, whose exclusion has largely overshadowed other selections
The chosen officials include Mauritania’s Dahane Beida, recognized for consistent performance, alongside established names like Algeria’s Mustapha Ghorbal, DR Congo’s Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo, Egypt’s Amin Omar, and Gabon’s Pierre Ghislain Atcho.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team comprises Algeria’s Lahlou Benbraham, Egypt’s Mahmoud Ashour, and Eswatini’s Letticia Viana.
CAF stated that selections were based on “rigorous assessments of consistency, experience, and performance in continental and international fixtures.”
However, the complete lack of Nigerian representation, coupled with Artan’s unexpected omission, has prompted significant scrutiny and questioning of the selection criteria and process for the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
(Source: Leadership)
Sports
Ex-Super Eagles striker Michael Eneramo dies after collapsing during match
Eneramo, who had retired from professional football, previously played for several clubs, including Besiktas of Turkey, Tunisian side Esperance, and Nigerian club Lobi Stars.
Former Super Eagles striker, Michael Eneramo, is dead, according to SCORENigeria on Friday.
Eneramo reportedly slumped and died while playing a football match in Kaduna State.
The 40-year-old was said to be featuring at the Angwan Yelwa pitch in the Television area of Kaduna when the incident occurred.
“He slumped and died right on the spot. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful,” a source told SCORENigeria.
The former international came on as a substitute in the second half before collapsing without any contact.
“He was pronounced dead at the hospital.”
Eneramo, who had retired from professional football, previously played for several clubs, including Besiktas of Turkey, Tunisian side Esperance, and Nigerian club Lobi Stars.
Sports
Governor Adeleke Remodelling Osogbo Stadium to 15,000 Sitting Capacity
Adeleke expressed happiness at the involvement of several foreign technical partners working with the contractors to ensure that the new stadium meets FIFA standards and eventually secures FIFA certification.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has commenced work on remodelling Osogbo Township Stadium from 4,000 to 15,000 sitting capacity.
In a statement , Governor Adeleke emphasised that the increased capacity will attract major sporting events to boost the development of all games in the state.
Adeleke expressed happiness at the involvement of several foreign technical partners working with the contractors to ensure that the new stadium meets FIFA standards and eventually secures FIFA certification.
He commended the speedy and qualitative ongoing remodelling of the stadium.
“This is the way to finally integrate Osun into the mainstream of sports development in the country.
“As a sports-loving governor, I am eager to ensure that the Osun Sports Trust Fund becomes operational,” he said.
Sports
Former NFF chairman Ibrahim Galadima dies at 78
His funeral prayers are scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2026, at the Fagge Juma’at Mosque in Kano.
A former chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Galadima, is dead at the age of 78.
His funeral prayers are scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2026, at the Fagge Juma’at Mosque in Kano.
Galadima, who also held the traditional title of Galadiman Fagge, died on Saturday evening at a hospital in Kano, according to his younger brother, Abba Galadima.
The late administrator was widely regarded as a key figure in Nigerian football, having played a major role in shaping the sport during his tenure.
He served as chairman of the football federation between 2002 and 2006, a period marked by efforts to strengthen the organisation and enhance Nigeria’s presence on the international stage.
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