The Nigerian U-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, made an emphatic start to their campaign in the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup by defeating New Zealand 4-1. This opening match, held in the Dominican Republic, showcased Nigeria’s strong intentions in the tournament as they secured a commanding win, establishing themselves as early favorites in their group. Nigeria wasted no time in making their mark on the game, with Shakirat…

Dani Olmo, the Spanish international, was the standout participant in Barcelona’s recent training session, marking his return after being sidelined for over a month due to a thigh injury sustained in mid-September against Girona. His partial participation in training signifies his steady recovery, as he looks to regain full match fitness. Olmo’s return comes at a crucial time for FC Barcelona, with key matches against Sevilla, Bayern Munich, and Real…

English Referees chief Howard Webb has noted the improvements in refereeing standards in the Premier League. Webb pointed out that the video assistant referee (VAR) has made just two errors so far this season.Webb who returned to English football as referees chief in 2022 after eight years of retirement from active on-field officiating made this observation while featuring on the popular podcast Stick To Football hosted by Manchester United legend…

Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface has emerged as one of the top-rated 23-year-olds in Europe’s elite leagues, following a stellar start to the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. The Nigerian international has continued his fine form from last season, scoring four goals and providing one assist in just six league matches for the reigning German champions. With an impressive WhoScored rating of 7.34, Boniface is currently the highest-rated 23-year-old in the Bundesliga…

Super Eagles and Orlando Pirates centre-back Olisah Harold Ndah is set to miss the remainder of 2024 season after suffering a serious tibia fracture during a league match against Polokwane City. The 26-year-old sustained the injury late in the game last month, just after helping his side secure a 3-0 victory. Ndah’s injury comes as a significant blow to both his club and country. Having recently returned to the Super…

Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen forward, Nathan Temitayo Tella, has expressed his frustration over his lack of playing time this season. Despite being a key contributor to Leverkusen’s successful Bundesliga and DFB Pokal campaign last season, the 25-year-old winger has struggled to secure regular minutes under manager Xabi Alonso. Tella, who joined Leverkusen from Southampton last year, played an important role in the squad’s double-winning season, scoring six goals and…

South Korean footballer Hwang Ui-jo has issued a public apology after admitting to secretly recording sexual encounters with his partners without their consent. The 31-year-old striker, who currently plays for Turkish club Alanyaspor, expressed his regret during his first court appearance in Seoul on Wednesday, where he is facing charges of illegal filming. Hwang, who had been a prominent figure in South Korean football and recently played for Nottingham Forest…

Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure as manager of the United States men’s national team suffered an early setback as his side lost 2-0 to rivals Mexico in an international friendly at Estadio Akron. The match, which also marked the farewell of Mexico’s legendary midfielder Andrés Guardado, saw the hosts put in a dominant performance to claim victory, ending the USA’s seven-match unbeaten streak against their regional rivals. Pochettino, who took charge of…

Lionel Messi once again proved why he remains one of the greatest footballers of all time, as he led Argentina to a resounding 6-0 victory over Bolivia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The 37-year-old football icon delivered a masterclass performance at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, scoring his 10th international hat-trick and assisting two more goals. The win propelled Argentina to the top of the South American…

Former Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Piqué has joined a growing list of voices speaking out against the increasing demands placed on football players due to congested fixture schedules. Speaking at *The Summit*, part of Leaders Week London, Piqué urged football’s governing bodies to reduce the number of matches and reconsider the introduction of new competitions to protect player welfare. Piqué, now 37 and retired since 2022, criticized FIFA and…

Eric Cantona has launched a fiery criticism of Manchester United’s decision to allow Sir Alex Ferguson to step down from his ambassadorial duties at the club. The legendary former Manchester United forward took to social media, calling the move “scandalous” and expressing his frustration over what he sees as a lack of respect for Ferguson. Ferguson, who turns 83 in December, is reportedly stepping back from his ambassadorial role due…

A representative for French football star Kylian Mbappé has condemned recent reports in the Swedish media alleging the Real Madrid forward is suspected of rape. The reports, citing police documents and filed criminal reports, have ignited a media frenzy, which Mbappé and his legal team have labeled as “totally false and irresponsible.” Several Swedish outlets, including public broadcaster SVT and CNN affiliate *Expressen*, reported that Mbappé was under suspicion after…