The Super Eagles have moved up fourteen places in the latest FIFA men’s ranking.
The National team moved from the forty-second position to the twenty-eighth position in the world.
The new ranking by the World Football governing body also showed that the Super Eagles moved from sixth position to third in Africa.
The new position on the global list is the national team’s highest since May 2013.
The Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh has extended his congratulations to the Super Eagles for their remarkable ascent in the latest FIFA rankings.
Enoh stated that the achievement reflects the dedication, resilience, and exceptional performance demonstrated by the Super Eagles.
He commended the players, coaching staff, and all involved in their relentless commitment to excellence, encouraged the Super Eagles to maintain their momentum and strive for even greater heights.
Chairman of the NFF technical committee, Sherif Ahlan has confirmed that the fate of Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro will be determined by the Federal Government.
Peseiro, who led Nigeria to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nation, where the team lost two-one to Ivory Coast, has come under heavy criticisms due to his poor tactics in the final.
Ahlan stated that the Federal Government would determine whether Nigeria would renew or fire Peseiro.
Super Eagles star Samuel Chukwueze has received a hero’s welcome from AC Milan players and coaches on his return from the AFCON.
In a video posted on the club X handle, Chukwueze was welcomed with an appreciative applause.
The Algeria Football Federation is eyeing a move for Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro to become their next manager following the sacking of Djamel Belmadi after a poor outing at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
While Peseiro led Nigeria to the final of the 34th edition of the AFCON in his first attempt to become one of the most popular coaches on the continent, Belmadi failed to make it out of their Group E after finishing bottom of the group with just two points.
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Flying Eagles Head Coach, Ladan Bosso has invited a total of thirty players to the team’s camp, as Nigeria aiming to go one step better after winning the silver medals at the last edition of the All Africa Games in Rabat, Morocco in 2019.
On his part, Falconets’ Head Coach Chris Musa Danjuma, who has led his 2022 World Cup quarter-finalists to earn a ticket to this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in Colombia, has called up 23 players.
The invited players to both the men’s and women’s teams have been advised to report at the Agete Luxury Hotel in Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja.
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The Nigeria Premier Football League, has released the match schedule for the youth league playoffs.
The playoffs are billed to take place from 25th February to 2nd March, 2024.
The competition will be staged at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State.
Rivers United, Remo Stars, Katsina United, Rangers, and Plateau United will participate in the competition.
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Sporting Lagos head coach, Paul Offor has hailed the contribution of newly recruited duo, Muhammad Jamil and David Adeleke in the club’s one-nil win against Rivers United.
Both players made their debuts in the game at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
Offor admitted that the duo helped in stabilising the weak defence of the team.
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Sunshine Stars have unveiled Kennedy Boboye as their new technical adviser.
Boboye will take charge of the Owena Waves following the sacking of Edith Agoye.
The Akure club also announced the composition of other members of the technical crew.
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After winning over a century of caps for South Africa during her playing days, Amanda Dlamini broke new ground at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The former midfielder became the first woman employed by the Confederation of African Football to be an analyst on its official international TV commentary of the continent’s showpiece men’s tournament.
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About 100 players from the six geo-political zones of the country will be vying for honours at the fifth Nigeria Cricket Association PwC National U-17 Championship, which runs from Thursday till 19th February in Abuja.
The matches will be played at the twin cricket ovals at Package ‘B’ of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
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Israel Adesanya’s coach, Eugene Bareman, has revealed that the Nigerian-born fighter is ready for a return to the Octagon.
The former middleweight champion hasn’t fought since his unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland back in September 2023.
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ENGLAND
English Premier League giants Manchester United are still in the race to sign Nigerian forward, Victor Osimhen, and are expected to make a bid in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are in line to get a cash influx in the summer window, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe on the verge of officially acquiring a 25 per cent minority stake in Man United.
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Manchester United have approached Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth about joining the club.
Ashworth has a long-standing relationship with Ineos head of sport Sir Dave Brailsford.
Talks over compensation are yet to take place between the two clubs.
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Crystal Palace say manager Roy Hodgson is stable in hospital after he was taken ill during training on Thursday.
Palace cancelled a news briefing after the manager became unwell.
Palace face Everton at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Monday.
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UEFA report says Manchester United’s squad last year were the “most expensive ever assembled” in football.
The European Club Finance and Investment Landscape report said United’s players at the end of their 2023 financial year cost one point two-one billion pounds in combined transfer fees.
The reports said three other squads Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid cost more than one billion pounds in transfer fees.
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West Ham women boss, Rehanne Skinner says expectation needs to match investment in the Women’s Super League and there should be more support for managers who lose their jobs.
Skinner joined West Ham in the summer after she was sacked by Tottenham.
After recruiting well in January, Skinner led West Ham to back-to-back wins and they have moved five points clear of the relegation zone.
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Chelsea women boss, Emma Hayes says the team are not overwhelming favourites to win the Women’s Super League title.
The Blues are three points clear at the top of the table, but host second-placed Manchester City women on Friday.
Chelsea women are still in the hunt for four trophies, with knockout games in the League Cup, FA Cup and Champions League coming up.
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Kansas City Chiefs say they are saddened by the senseless act of violence after a shooting at the end of their Super Bowl victory parade.
One person died and twenty-one others were wounded in the incident on Wednesday.
Thousands of fans had gathered to celebrate the Chiefs’ second successive Super Bowl title.
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OTHER LEAGUES
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Roma star Romelu Lukaku scored as the team drew with Feyenoord in the Europa League knockout round play-off first leg.
The Belgium striker headed an equaliser from Leonardo Spinazzola’s cross for Daniele de Rossi’s side.
Feyenoord had led through Igor Paixao’s header and almost won it at the end when Luka Ivanusec hit the post.
The Europa League play-off round pits the teams who finished second in their groups with teams who finished third in their Champions League groups.
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France striker Kylian Mbappe has told Paris Saint-Germain he intends to leave the club at the end of the season.
Mbappe’s deal with the Ligue 1 champions was scheduled to expire and he has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.
The forward’s future was the subject of a major stand-off with PSG last summer.
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Scottish football’s referee chief, Crawford Allan has insisted VAR is adding value and accuracy to the game despite a review showing a big increase in wrong decisions.
Thirteen decisions have been deemed incorrect by the Scottish FA’s VAR independent review panel during the second round of Premiership fixtures – including the last Old Firm derby.
It represents a significant rise from the three errors reported across the opening round of top flight games.
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OTHER SPORTS
In Basketball, Detroit Pistons player Isaiah Stewart has been arrested for assault after punching Phoenix Suns’ Drew Eubanks before their teams played on Wednesday.
Police said Stewart was issued a citation and released while detectives continue to investigate the incident.
The two players clashed in the parking lot at the Footprint Arena in Phoenix.
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In Tennis, Spanish Tennis player Rafael Nadal has put his return to competitive tennis on hold after pulling out of the Qatar Open.
Nadal made his long-awaited return after almost a year out with injury at January’s Brisbane International.
The Spaniard sustained a hip injury at the tournament which ruled him out of the Australian Open.
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In Formula one, Christian Horner says allegations of inappropriate and controlling behaviour against him are a distraction for his Red Bull team.
The Red Bull team boss is the subject of an internal investigation after complaints from a female colleague.
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In Golf, Tiger Woods says he is pain-free as he prepares for his first PGA Tour event of 2024 at the Genesis Invitational, which starts on Thursday.
But the 15-time major champion added he is still adapting after the ankle surgery he underwent in April 2023.
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In Cricket, Former England captain Michael Vaughan says England will rue the chances missed on day one of the third Test in India.
Joe Root dropped Rohit Sharma on 27, with the home captain going on to make a century in Rajkot.
Both Rohit and Ravindra Jadeja, who reached 110 not out, could have been lbw, but England opted not to review as India moved to 326-5.
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In Rugby, England defence coach Felix Jones said England cannot blind themselves to their weaknesses despite winning their first two Six Nations games.
Jones implemented a ‘blitz’ defence since joining England from a similar role with world champions South Africa.
England, who have conceded more tries than they have scored in narrow victories over Italy and Wales, face Scotland at Murrayfield on 24th February.
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In Athletics, Jake Wightman has continued his return from injury with second place in the mile at a meeting in Australia on Thursday.
The Scot has been hampered with a mix of foot, shin and hamstring injuries since winning the fifteen hundred metre title at the World Championships in 2022.
He made his comeback at an indoor event in Boston earlier this month.
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TODAY’S FIXTURES
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IN ITALIAN SERIE A
Torino vs. Lecce
Inter Milan vs. Salernitana
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IN SPANISH LA LIGA
Villarreal vs. Getafe
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SOCCER ACTIONS CONTINUES THIS WEEKEND.
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IN ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
ON SATURDAY
Brentford vs. Liverpool
Burnley vs. Arsenal
Fulham vs. Aston Villa
Newcastle vs. Bournemouth
Nottingham Forest vs. West Ham
Tottenham vs. Wolves
Manchester City vs. Chelsea
ON SUNDAY
Sheffield United. vs. Brighton
Luton vs. Manchester United
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IN SPANISH LA LIGA
ON SATURDAY
Athletico Madrid vs. Las Palmas
Osasuna vs. Cádiz
Celta Vigo vs. Barcelona
Valencia vs. Sevilla
ON SUNDAY
Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid
Granada vs. Almería
Mallorca vs. Real Sociedad
Real Betis vs. Alavés
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IN ITALIAN SERIE A
ON SATURDAY
Napoli vs. Genoa
Hellas Verona vs. Juventus
Atalanta vs. Sassuolo
ON SUNDAY
Lazio vs. Bologna
Empoli vs. Fiorentina
Udinese vs. Cagliari
Frosinone vs. Roma
Monza vs. AC Milan
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TODAY’S THOUGHT
It is not the size of a man but the size of his heart that matters….says Evander Holyfield.
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