Nigeria General Sport news

• Maldini named Italy’s new technical director

  12-07-2026 00:04 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Italian football icon Paolo Maldini has been appointed technical director of the national football federation (FIGC) looking to rebuild after Italy’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.“Maldini has always been my target,” said newly-appointed FIGC president Giovanni Malago.“I felt he was the right person to oversee the FIGC’s technical sector — a role that encompasses not just the senior national team, but the entire youth national team setu
  
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• World Cup 2026: Tuchel Slams England’s Performance Despite Win Against Norway

  12-07-2026 08:21 via completesports.com
  Thomas Tuchel admitted he was unimpressed with England’s performance in their nervy 2-1 World Cup quarter-final win over Norway. After falling behind, Jude Bellingham’s double put the Three Lions into just their third World Cup semi-final since 1966. Norway, who overcame Brazil in the previous round, provided a stern test and took the lead through [...]
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• World Cup 2026: Senegal sack Pape Thiaw after disappointing campaign

  12-07-2026 08:13 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Senegal Football Federation has dismissed head coach Pape Thiaw following the country’s underwhelming performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The federation announced the decision on Saturday, saying a change in leadership was necessary after the Teranga Lions failed to meet expectations at the tournament.Senegal arrived at the World Cup with high hopes after lifting the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations title by defeating Morocco in the final earlier this year.However, their campaign unravel
  
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• 2026 World Cup: Fixtures, date, time, venue of semi-finals revealed

  12-07-2026 08:06 via thesun.ng
  
  The 2026 FIFA World Cup is in its most pivotal stage as the fixtures for the semi-finals have been confirmed after the conclusion of the quarter-final matches.
  England will face Argentina after securing a semi-final spot in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Norway, thanks to a brace from Jude Bellingham.
  Meanwhile, Argentina cruised past Switzerland with a 3-1 victory, booking their place in the tournament’s last four.
  See the FIFA World Cup semi-final fixtures below:
  Tuesday, July 14France vs
  
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• World Cup 2026: List of top scorers as Bellingham joins race

  12-07-2026 07:53 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The race for the top scorer award at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has intensified following the completion of the quarter-finals, with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe leading the scoring charts.Both superstars have netted eight goals each heading into the semi-finals, placing them at the top of the standings as they continue their pursuit of the tournament’s top scorer award.Norway striker Erling Haaland finished the competition with seven goals after his country’s quarter-final exit to E
  
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• World Cup 2026: Semi-final fixtures confirmed — date, time and venue

  12-07-2026 07:43 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The semi-final fixtures for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been confirmed following the conclusion of the quarter-final matches.England secured the final semi-final spot after defeating Norway 2-1 on Saturday night. Jude Bellingham scored both goals for the Three Lions to set up a mouthwatering clash with Argentina.Argentina, meanwhile, overcame Switzerland 3-1 after extra time to book their place in the last four.The first semi-final will see France take on Spain on Tuesday, July 14, at 9:00 p.m
  
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• Payne Relishes New Challenge At Inter Milan

  12-07-2026 07:36 via completesports.com
  
  Super Falcons midfielder Toni Payne is excited with the opportunity to play for Serie A giants Inter Women. Payne joined the Nerazzurri from English Women’s Super League, WSL, club Everton in a two-year deal on Saturday. The 31-year-old spent two years at Everton after arriving on a free transfer in 2024. Payne Ready For New [...]
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• Senegal Sack Head Coach Pape Thiaw After Disappointing World Cup Campaign

  12-07-2026 07:21 via completesports.com
  
  The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has dismissed head coach Pape Thiaw along with his entire technical staff following the country’s disappointing 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, bringing an abrupt end to his tenure in charge of the Lions of Teranga, Africa Soccer reports. The decision comes amid growing pressure from supporters and football stakeholders after [...]
  The post Senegal Sack Head Coach Pape Thiaw After Disappointing World Cup Campaign appeared first on Complete Sports.
  
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• World Cup 2026: Argentina Overcome Switzerland After Extra Time, Set Up Semi-Final Clash Against England

  12-07-2026 07:11 via completesports.com
  
  Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals, setting up a semifinal clash with England. Alexis Mac Allister, Julián Álvarez, and Lautaro Martínez scored for Argentina, while Dan Ndoye scored for Switzerland. Switzerland played the entire extra time with 10 men. Read Also:World Cup 2026: Spain Capable Of Beating [...]
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• World Cup: Argentina beat Switzerland, keep title defence alive

  12-07-2026 05:54 via thesun.ng
  
  Argentina booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 3-1 extra-time victory over 10-man Switzerland on Sunday, setting up a blockbuster last-four showdown against England.
  The defending champions were pushed to the limit in Kansas City before late strikes from Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez secured victory after Switzerland’s Breel Embolo was sent off in the second half.
  Lionel Messi was again at the heart of Argentina’s attackin
  
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• Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 to reach World Cup semi-finals

  12-07-2026 05:53 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Argentina set up a World Cup semi-final against England as Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored in extra time to propel the reigning champions to a 3-1 win over Switzerland on Saturday.Alvarez’s curling shot and Martinez’s tap-in settled a tense contest after Alexis Mac Allister had opened the scoring and Dan Ndoye equalised for the Swiss, who had Breel Embolo sent off in the second half.
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• ‘We put Norway on the map’, says Haaland after World Cup exit

  12-07-2026 05:13 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Erling Haaland said Norway’s World Cup performances had inspired a new generation despite the disappointment of a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to England after extra-time on Saturday.Haaland failed to score for the first time in 15 competitive games for his country in Miami as Jude Bellingham’s double fired England into the last four.The Manchester City striker had scored seven times in his four games at a major international tournament to carry Norway to the quarter-finals in their fir
  
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• Super sub Merino vital to Spain’s World Cup hopes – De la Fuente

  12-07-2026 05:11 via thesun.ng
  
  Spain manager Luis de la Fuente’s golden touch carried his side into the World Cup semi-finals on Friday as Fabian Ruiz and Mikel Merino, two players elevated by his bold selection calls, scored the goals ‌in a tense 2-1 quarter-final win over Belgium.
  Fabian, a surprise starter after Pedri dropped to ‌the bench, opened the scoring before Merino came on after ‌86 minutes and struck two minutes later, pouncing when substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens ‌failed to hold Pau
  
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• Everything you need to know about Golden Boot race

  12-07-2026 05:09 via thesun.ng
  
  The final stages: The quarter-finals of the World Cup are almost complete as the tournament reaches its conclusion. Only a small group of elite nations remain in contention to lift the trophy.
  A tight race: Furthermore, the battle for the individual Golden Boot award is currently tied. This entire tournament has been heavily dominated by the world’s brightest stars.
  Joint leaders: Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi currently lead the race with eight goals each this tournament. Both forward pla
  
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• FIFA offers 2026 World Cup Final pitch items for sale

  12-07-2026 05:08 via thesun.ng
  
  FIFA has announced a new investment opportunity in the sports memorabilia market, offering pieces of the pitch from the New Jersey stadium that will host the 2026 World Cup final for sale through its official store. This move could generate revenues exceeding $11.2 million.
  The New York Times reported that prices for these items start at $450 each, with shipping to buyers scheduled after the final match on July 19, 2026. Currently, shipping is limited to the United States, the United Kingdom, an
  
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• Tuchel says ‘lucky’ England must improve despite reaching World Cup semi-finals

  12-07-2026 04:55 via vanguardngr.com
  
  England manager Thomas Tuchel said his team were “lucky” to squeeze past Norway 2-1 after extra-time to reach the World Cup semi-finals, but praised “world-class” Jude Bellingham after his two goals dragged the Three Lions to victory.A furious Tuchel was in little mood to celebrate despite England reaching the last four for just the fourth time in history after Bellingham’s double overturned Andreas Schjelderup’s opener.“We made life very, very difficul
  
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• World Cup: Bellingham’s brace sends England into semi-finals

  12-07-2026 04:47 via thesun.ng
  
  Jude Bellingham produced another match-winning performance as England fought back to defeat Norway 2-1 after extra time on Saturday, securing a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
  The Real Madrid midfielder scored twice, including the decisive extra-time winner, to send Thomas Tuchel’s side into the last four, where they will face either Argentina or Switzerland.
  England endured a difficult evening at Miami Stadium, battling intense heat, humidity and a determined Norwegia
  
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• Bellingham double as ‘lucky’ England beat Norway to reach World Cup semi-finals

  12-07-2026 04:31 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Jude Bellingham scored twice as England staged an extra-time escape act to defeat Norway 2-1 on Saturday and book their place in the World Cup semi-finals.Bellingham’s 93rd-minute winner settled a nerve-jangling quarter-final played in sweltering conditions at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.But England, who will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals on Wednesday, rode their luck to keep their World Cup dream alive.“We made life very, very difficult for ourselves t
  
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• My private jet experience with Nigerian billionaire – Osimhen

  12-07-2026 03:20 via thesun.ng
  
  Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen shared a memorable moment with Nigerian businessman Tony Elumelu during his return trip to Turkey on Wednesday as he headed back to join Galatasaray for the start of pre-season preparations, BSNSports.com.ng reports.
  The pair reportedly travelled aboard the same private jet and spent time discussing football, business, family and life during the journey.
  Their meeting reflected a relationship that has grown over the years. Osimhen visited Elumelu during a holi
  
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• 2026 CWG: Nwoko urges corporate support for athletes

  12-07-2026 03:19 via thesun.ng
  
  With Team Nigeria intensifying preparations for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, the Chief Executive Officer of What Media Group, Chichi Nwoko, has called on corporate organisations and private sector stakeholders to invest in the country’s athletes, insisting that sustained support is crucial to building future champions.
  Nwoko said Nigeria is witnessing the emergence of a new generation of talented athletes under the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and urged busine
  
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• Football reform: Why I’ll not contest NFF election – Jalla

  12-07-2026 03:17 via thesun.ng
  
  Chairman of the Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reforms Initiative, Prince Harrison Jalla, has declared that he will not contest the September 2026 Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) presidential election unless the process is free, fair, credible and democratic.
  Jalla said although he possesses the vision, experience and commitment to lead Nigerian football, he would not participate in what he described as an undemocratic and predetermined electoral process.
  According to him, the country’s f
  
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• Plumptre reveals why she was left out of Wafcon squad

  12-07-2026 03:15 via thesun.ng
  
  Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has broken her silence after being omitted from Nigeria’s squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), admitting that her body needs more time to fully recover from injury.
  The 28-year-old Al-Ittihad defender has been sidelined since the end of February after suffering a foot injury that required surgery on her left foot.
  She has since been undergoing rehabilitation in the United Kingdom as she works towards a return to full fitn
  
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• Maikaba sets Flying Eagles’ priorities ahead of WAFU B U-20 tourney

  12-07-2026 03:15 via thesun.ng
  
  Flying Eagles head coach Abdu Maikaba has identified qualification for the 2027 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations as Nigeria’s primary objective at the forthcoming WAFU B U-20 Championship in Côte d’Ivoire, BSNSports.com.ng reports.
  Maikaba said the team’s immediate focus is to secure one of the qualifying spots for the continental tournament before setting its sights on lifting the regional title.
  “Our first objective is to qualify for the 2027 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of
  
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• Zverev faces ultimate test against Sinner in Wimbledon final

  12-07-2026 03:13 via thesun.ng
  
  Alexander Zverev will hope the old adage about London buses — you wait an age for ​one and then two come along at once — holds true for his tennis career on Sunday as he attempts to upset the odds ‌and dethrone Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon final.
  It will be a daunting challenge for the newly-crowned French Open champion though as his reward for reaching his first Wimbledon final is a clash with the Italian who has beaten him nine times in a row including winning the last
  
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• Joshua vs Fury fight must take place in UK, Hearn insists

  12-07-2026 03:13 via thesun.ng
  
  Turki Al-Sheikh has said that if the curfew can be extended to 2am, then the Joshua-Fury fight can take place at Wembley stadium, but Matchroom Boxing boss, Eddie Hearn, has revealed that it can only take place in the UK anyway, despite talks of the fighting moving to Las Vegas.
  The 47-year-old promoter told Playbook Boxing, powered by Betway that it’s up to him where the fight takes place, “Ultimately, we kind of hold the keys in that respect because our contract clearly states the
  
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• Bellingham Bags Brace, Equals Maradona’s World Cup Feat As England Overcome Norway To Reach Semifinals

  12-07-2026 02:10 via completesports.com
  
  Jude Bellingham sent England into the World Cup semifinals with two goals as the Three Lions overturned a 1-0 deficit to seal a 2-1 extra-time win and end Norway hopes of a first-ever last four appearance in the tournament, ESPN reports. Bellingham became the first player to score back-to-back doubles in the knockout rounds of [...]
  The post Bellingham Bags Brace, Equals Maradona’s World Cup Feat As England Overcome Norway To Reach Semifinals appeared first on Complete Sports.
  
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• Italy icon Maldini national team’s technical director

  12-07-2026 00:04 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Italian football icon Paolo Maldini has been appointed technical director of the national football federation (FIGC) looking to rebuild after Italy’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.“Maldini has always been my target,” said newly-appointed FIGC president Giovanni Malago.“I felt he was the right person to oversee the FIGC’s technical sector — a role that encompasses not just the senior national team, but the entire youth national team setu
  
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• World Cup 2026: Spain Capable Of Beating France –De La Fuente

  11-07-2026 22:17 via completesports.com
  
  Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has disclosed that he is completely convinced his squad will beat France in their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final clash. Recall that Spain advanced on a winning goal by substitute Mikel Merino in the 88th minute of the quarterfinals at SoFi Stadium. La Roja conceded its only goal of [...]
  The post World Cup 2026: Spain Capable Of Beating France–De La Fuente appeared first on Complete Sports.
  
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• England, Norway battle heat as Argentina face Swiss in World Cup last eight

  11-07-2026 22:15 via vanguardngr.com
  
  England and Norway were preparing to lock horns in a blockbuster World Cup quarter-final battle of elite strikers in Miami on Saturday set to be played in ferocious heat and humidity.The two European rivals face off at the Hard Rock Stadium in a match that kicks off at 5:00 pm local time (2200 GMT), with the winner facing a semi-final against Argentina or Switzerland.While the build-up has focused on the duel between in-form England striker Harry Kane and his Norway counterpart Erling Haaland,
  
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• Noskova Outclasses Muchova To Win Wimbledon Title

  11-07-2026 20:52 via completesports.com
  
  Czech youngster Linda Noskova was at her best form as she recovered from missing five championship points to beat Karolina Muchova in Saturday’s Wimbledon final. The 21-year-old ninth seed blew five championship points in the second set before holding her nerve to secure a 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 victory and her maiden Grand Slam trophy. Read [...]
  The post Noskova Outclasses Muchova To Win Wimbledon Title appeared first on Complete Sports.
  
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