Nigeria General Sport news

• Nwabali returns to Chippa United

  13-07-2026 02:32 via thesun.ng
  
  Through their official channels, South African Premiership side Chippa United have confirmed the return of Nigeria international Stanley Nwabali to the Chilli Boys.
  The Super Eagles goalkeeper previously parted ways with the club by mutual consent after submitting a transfer request following his impressive performances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he kept four consecutive clean sheets in regulation time.
  Nwabali was subsequently linked with clubs in South Africa, North Africa and Sa
  
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• Argentina makes strange kit request ahead of England clash

  14-07-2026 02:40 via thesun.ng
  
  England and Argentina will clash in Wednesday’s second World Cup semi-final this week as the South American side makes a strange kit request.
  Argentina secured their place in the semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over Switzerland whilst the Three Lions progressed thanks to a 2-1 comeback against Norway as Jude Bellingham bagged a brace.
  Ahead of the clash, drama has already unfolded off the pitch as, according to Argentine journalist Gastón Edul, Argentina have asked for permission to
  
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• France, Spain lock horns in thrilling clash

  14-07-2026 02:38 via thesun.ng
  
  Spain will attempt to neutralise one of the most potent attacking arsenals in World Cup history when they take on France in a heavyweight semi-final showdown today.
  The reigning European champions and Didier Deschamps’ French team face off at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in what is seen by many as a ‘final before the final’ featuring the two best sides left in the tournament.
  In the blue corner are France, who have progressed serenely to the last four on the back o
  
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• Bilic reappointed as Croatia manager

  14-07-2026 02:36 via thesun.ng
  
  Slaven Bilic has returned as Croatia boss following a disappointing World Cup campaign.
  The Croatian Football Federation has officially announced Bilic as Zlatko Dalic’s successor following his first spell in charge of his country in which he lasted from 2006 to 2012.
  Bilic’s first stint saw him grab 42 wins, 15 draws and eight defeats from 65 matches.
  Croatia finished second in Group L, one point behind England, but were knocked out of the tournament with a 2-1 defeat to Portugal in
  
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• Mbappe underrated due to his skin colour – Eto’o

  14-07-2026 02:35 via thesun.ng
  
  Samuel Eto’o has revealed that he believes Kylian Mbappe may be judged for his skin colour that affects how highly he is rated.
  France are aiming to become just the third team to reach three successive World Cup finals this week as they face off against Spain.
  Les Bleus will be looking to Mbappe, who has 8 goals in the tournament so far, to lead the side once more on Tuesday night in what should be a thrilling affair.
  With 20 career World Cup goals since 2018, the Real Madrid star has beco
  
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• … Deschamps denies striker is a dictator

  14-07-2026 02:34 via thesun.ng
  
  France boss Didier Deschamps has denied that Kylian Mbappe acts like a dictator in the France side.
  Mbappe sent Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill the wrong way to score his seventh goal of the 2026 World Cup and to send France through to the Quarter Final on Saturday night.
  The Real Madrid star currently sits top of the Golden Boot race, above the likes of Lionel Messi and Harry Kane who are hot on his heels.
  Mbappe has proven himself to be a leader once more in the French side and despite claims
  
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• England must put Messi to sleep –Joe Cole

  14-07-2026 02:33 via thesun.ng
  
  England vs. Argentina is already heating up ahead of their World Cup semifinal. Former England and Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole made headlines by confidently claiming the Three Lions are superior to the reigning world champions—even with Lionel Messi on the other side.
  “We’ve got to put Messi to sleep,” Cole said on The Rest Is Football, the popular football show featuring Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards.
  The remark immediately sparked reactions, with Richar
  
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• Heavyweights set for semi-final showdowns live on SuperSport

  14-07-2026 02:32 via thesun.ng
  
  The FIFA World Cup 2026 reaches its penultimate stage this week as four of international football’s biggest nations battle for two places in the final, with France, Spain, England and Argentina set for heavyweight semi-final clashes live on SuperSport.
  It marks the first FIFA World Cup since 1990 in which all four semi-finalists are former world champions. France, Argentina, Spain and England also occupy the top four places in the FIFA World Rankings and were widely regarded as the tournam
  
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• Colombia star goes into hiding after death threats

  14-07-2026 02:31 via thesun.ng
  
  Colombia forward Jáminton Campaz missed his flight home from the World Cup and has gone into hiding.
  The 26-year-old blazed over the crossbar in extra-time before Switzerland triumphed 4-3 in a penalty shootout to set up a quarter-final clash against Argentina, who will now face England for a place in the final.
  Campaz and his family have been sent death threats since last Tuesday’s game.
  He was due to fly from Vancouver to Bogotá Wednesday with teammates Davinson Sánc
  
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• Kucuk reveals Galatasaray’s plans for Ugochukwu, Osimhen

  14-07-2026 02:24 via thesun.ng
  
  Turkish football pundit Ali Naci Küçük has revealed that Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk views Super Eagles-eligible midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu as an immediate first-team player, while also crediting Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen for playing a significant role in convincing the midfielder to join the Turkish champions.
  Ugochukwu is on the verge of completing a move to Galatasaray after an impressive 2025/2026 campaign with Burnley.Despite the Clarets’ relegation from the
  
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• Sokoto govt hands over site for sports arena at Ummaru Shinkafi Poly

  14-07-2026 02:23 via thesun.ng
  
  The Sokoto State Government has officially handed over the site for the construction of a modern sports arena at Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto.
  A statement by the state Ministry for Higher Education, dated
  12th July, 2026, disclosed that the handover ceremony took place last Saturday, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening sports development and improving infrastructure across tertiary institutions in the state.
  Speaking during the official site handover ceremony
  
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• 2026 WAFCON: Nnadozie sounds Super Falcons warning

  14-07-2026 02:21 via thesun.ng
  
  Defending champions Nigeria will approach the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with discipline and respect for every opponent, as Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie insists there are no easy teams left in African women’s football.
  With the continental showpiece set to kick off in Morocco from July 26 to August 16, the three-time African Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year said the Super Falcons remain fully focused on reclaiming continental glory while securing qualificat
  
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• Joshua undercard finally revealed

  14-07-2026 02:20 via thesun.ng
  
  Anthony Joshua will return to the ring next week, and the undercard for his fight with Kristian Prenga has finally been announced.
  The former two-time heavyweight will make a stunning comeback next weekend – seven months on from his near-death experience after being involved in a tragic car crash in Nigeria which resulted in the deaths of close friends Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami.
  Joshua has not fought since his rather uninspiring sixth-round knockout victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Ja
  
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• Olopade hails Nigeria’s U18 Boys after unbeaten AfroBasket qualification

  14-07-2026 02:18 via thesun.ng
  
  The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has hailed Nigeria’s U-18 boys’ basketball team following their dominant, unbeaten campaign at the FIBA Africa Zone 3 Qualifiers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, urging the young players to continue developing into the country’s next generation of basketball stars.
  The Nigerian team sealed qualification for the 2026 FIBA U-18 AfroBasket Championship in Côte d’Ivoire after winning all fou
  
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• NFF Executive Committee member, George Aluo, loses mother

  14-07-2026 02:17 via thesun.ng
  
  Chairman of the Nigeria National League and Member of the NFF Executive Committee, has announced the passing of his mother Ezinne Bernadette Aluo, who died on Monday, 13th July 2026.“My mother Ezinne Bernadette Aluo has gone to be with her creator. She has fought the good fight; she has finished the race; she has kept the faith,” Aluo stated in the message.
  The deceased would have been 90 years of age on 18th November 2026.
  The post NFF Executive Committee member, George Aluo, loses
  
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• Nigeria’s women wins NFL Flag Africa title in Kenya

  14-07-2026 02:15 via thesun.ng
  
  Nigeria’s women’s flag football team emerged champions at the 2026 NFL Flag Africa Continental Championship in Nairobi, Kenya, as the country’s teams returned home after an impressive outing at the three-day tournament.
  The championship, held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex from July 9 to 11, featured Nigeria’s men’s, women’s and Under-13 teams competing against top African nations, including hosts Kenya, Ghana, South Africa and Egypt.
  The Nigerian women produced
  
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• World Cup 2026: We’re Not Afraid Of Spain –Rabiot

  13-07-2026 23:36 via completesports.com
  AC Milan star Adrien Rabiot has disclosed that the French national team does not fear Spain ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final clash. He emphasized that France does not need a special anti-Yamal plan and is solely focused on playing a solid, collective match against a highly dangerous Spanish squad. Read Also:World Cup [...]
  The post World Cup 2026: We’re Not Afraid Of Spain–Rabiot appeared first on Complete Sports.
  
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• Haaland, teammates receive heroes’ welcome in Norway after World Cup exit

  13-07-2026 23:20 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Around 90,000 people welcomed back Norway’s players to Oslo on Monday after they returned home from making a historic run to the World Cup quarter-finals.Erling Haaland’s side were knocked out of the tournament on Saturday after losing 2-1 to England in extra-time in the last eight in Miami, their best result in the competition.The crowd packed the square in front of the royal palace in Norway’s capital city as the squad arrived around, and performed the now famous “Viki
  
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• Senegalese FA says Thiaw salary demands caused World Cup downfall

  13-07-2026 22:59 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Senegalese football federation (FSF) president said on Monday toxicity surrounded the team at the World Cup after coach Pape Thiaw had demanded a pay rise.Thiaw was sacked on Sunday after his side were knocked out in the last 32 by Belgium on July 1.“There was a breakdown in trust between Pape Thiaw and us”, FSF president Abdoulaye Fall told a press conference in Dakar, citing the initial failure to sign a new contract after Thiaw’s demand for more money.Thiaw, 45 and a fo
  
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• 2026 World Cup: Rodri sends strong message ahead of France showdown

  13-07-2026 22:10 via thesun.ng
  
  Spain midfielder Rodri has called on his teammates to rely on their strengths when they take on France in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
  The Manchester City star acknowledged that France are a great opponent but said La Roja are determined and motivated to overcome them and secure a place in the final.
  “France will probably be our toughest test,” Rodri said via FIFA’s website.
  “We are highly motivated and determined to win the tie.
  “We have to play to our stre
  
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• 2026 World Cup: John Terry reveals what impresses him about England team

  13-07-2026 21:42 via thesun.ng
  
  Former England captain John Terry has shared what he admires most about Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
  Speaking on the latest episode of FIFA’s podcast, Terry noted that England have enjoyed several significant moments at the tournament over the years and expressed hope that the current team can end the nation’s long wait for another World Cup triumph.
  The former Chelsea defender believes the Three Lions have what it takes to lift the trophy for the first time since their histo
  
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• O’Neill Confirms New Celtic Contract For Iheanacho

  13-07-2026 21:08 via completesports.com
  Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed that the Hoops have made Kelechi Iheanacho an offer as talks continue over the striker’s return to the club, Completesports.com reports. Iheanacho’s previous contract with Celtic expired at the end of last month. Iheanacho linked up with the Hoops last September on a one-year deal, with the Scottish Premiership [...]
  The post O’Neill Confirms New Celtic Contract For Iheanacho appeared first on Complete Sports.
  
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• 2026 World Cup: Messi opens up on first-ever meeting with England

  13-07-2026 21:08 via thesun.ng
  
  Argentina captain Lionel Messi believes his side’s World Cup semi-final showdown with England will be a memorable occasion, describing the fixture as one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
  The Inter Miami star said the encounter would be a massive contest, given the rivalry and the significance of the stage, as both nations battle for a place in the World Cup final.
  Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s showdown, Messi said, according to FIFA&rsqu
  
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• Police probe death of South Africa World Cup star Jayden Adams

  13-07-2026 20:58 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Adegboyega AdeleyePolice in South Africa have launched an investigation into the death of Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams, just two weeks after he helped his country reach the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time.According to the Associated Press, the 25-year-old’s body was discovered on Saturday at a property in Cape Town’s Schotsche Kloof neighbourhood, with authorities confirming that the circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.“C
  
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• Dutch referee dies aged 38 weeks after being dropped from World Cup

  13-07-2026 20:46 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Adegboyega AdeleyeDutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died at the age of 38, just weeks after he was removed from FIFA’s list of match officials for the 2026 World Cup following a police investigation in the United Kingdom that was later dropped.According to the BBC, Dieperink had been selected as a video assistant referee (VAR) for the tournament before FIFA removed him from the World Cup panel in May after he was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in April over an allegation of
  
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• Alonso: I Will Get The Best Out Of Palmer

  13-07-2026 20:32 via completesports.com
  
  Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has disclosed that Cole Palmer is a special talent, and he is working on building the team to get the absolute best out of him this season. During his introductory press conference, Alonso expressed immediate admiration for Palmer’s intelligence, decision-making, and special talent. Read Also:Dyer: Bowen Has No Plan To Leave [...]
  The post Alonso: I Will Get The Best Out Of Palmer appeared first on Complete Sports.
  
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• Micah Richards makes decision on quitting punditry

  13-07-2026 20:31 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Former Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards has revealed he plans to step away from television punditry within the next eight years, despite enjoying huge success since retiring from football.The 38-year-old has established himself as one of football’s most recognisable broadcasters following the end of his playing career in 2019.
  Richards is a regular pundit across the BBC, Sky Sports and CBS Sports, earning praise for his engaging personality and on-screen chemistry with
  
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• Why we might expand World Cup to 64 teams – Infantino

  13-07-2026 19:57 via vanguardngr.com
  
  FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that football’s governing body will examine the possibility of expanding the 2030 FIFA World Cup to 64 teams after declaring the newly enlarged 48-team tournament a success.The 2026 World Cup marked the first edition to feature 48 nations, up from the 32-team format used between 1998 and 2022. FIFA is now considering adding another 16 teams for the centenary tournament in 2030.The 2030 World Cup will be staged across six countries and three co
  
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• ‘There’s interest in him’ — Alonso confirms Garnacho to leave Chelsea

  13-07-2026 19:56 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Adegboyega AdeleyeNew Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has effectively confirmed Alejandro Garnacho is on his way out of Stamford Bridge, revealing the club is already discussing the Argentine winger’s future amid growing interest from several clubs.Speaking at his first press conference as Chelsea boss, Alonso admitted Garnacho is attracting interest from elsewhere and expressed hope that a deal would soon be reached.“The situation is we have spoken with the sports directors, and the
  
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• WAFCON 2026: Super Falcons Can Win 11th Title In Morocco, Shock The World At Brazil 2027 — Aloma

  13-07-2026 19:55 via completesports.com
  
  Former Nigeria U-20 Women’s National Team coach, Napoleon Aloma, has expressed confidence that the Super Falcons will win their record-extending 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco and go on to surpass their FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final achievement at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, Completesports.com reports. Super Falcons [...]
  The post WAFCON 2026: Super Falcons Can Win 11th Title In Morocco, Shock The World At Brazil 2027 &m
  
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