IN NIGERIA
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali says the team cannot afford to drop more points in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series.
Nwabali declared that it was important for the team to focus on the clash with Amavubi before the next game against South Africa.
Eric Chelle’s side has recorded just one win from six games in the qualifiers.
The West Africans currently occupy fourth position in Group C with seven points from six games.
The Super Eagles will take on the Amavubi of Rwanda in a matchday seven encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Saturday.
The game will kick-off at 5pm.
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Super Eagles star, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru says the team will not give up in their quest to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Dele-Bashiru declared that they would keep fighting hard to secure a ticket to the 2026 World Cup finals.
Meanwhile, Wilfred Ndidi said the Super Eagles cannot afford another bad result against Rwanda.
Ndidi declared that the focus must be on the game with Rwanda for now.
Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi who plays for Fulham also declared Nigeria’s readiness for the crucial game against Rwanda.
Iwobi is confident the team would get the job done.
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Nigerian international, Felix Agu says he is proud to represent Nigeria at the international level.
Agu played for Germany twice at the Under-twenty level before switching international allegiance.
The 25-year-old made his maiden appearance for the Super Eagles at the Unity Cup in London in May.
Agu is part of the Super Eagles squad preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda, and South Africa.
He is looking forward to playing his first competitive game for the three-time African champions.
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Chad has netted an 89th-minute equaliser to grab a surprise one-all draw against Ghana in African qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
It had looked like the West Africans would be going six points clear at the top of Group I following Jordan Ayew’s first-half tap in.
But Celestin Ecua drove forward and unleashed a left-footed shot from the edge of the area which took a big deflection past Black Stars keeper Benjamin Asare to the delight of the home crowd in N’Djamena.
Only the group winners are assured of a place at next year’s finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
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Lesotho Football Association Secretary General, Mokhosi Mohapi has issued a warning that they will file a protest with FIFA if Bafana Bafana includes Teboho Mokoena in their squad for Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Lesotho will host South Africa inside the Free State Stadium in Group C, matchday seven encounter.
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder received two yellow cards, making him ineligible to play in the match against Lesotho; however, he still featured.
Mohapi said they would protest a minute into the match if Mokoena is part of the 18-man Bafana squad on Friday.
FIFA are yet to issue a statement surrounding the outcome of the Mokoena saga.
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The Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein has been approved to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matchday eight encounter between Bafana Bafana of South and Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Bafana Bafana head coach, Hugo Broos raised concerns over the condition of the playing surface of the Toyota Stadium.
Bafana Bafana will host the Super Eagles at the Toyota Stadium on Tuesday, 9th.
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Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets has been drawn in Group B alongside Benin Republic and Burkina Faso ahead of this year’s WAFU B Under-seventeen tournament.
The WAFU B Under-seventeen competition, which will begin on 20th September, will take place in Cote d’Ivoire.
Also, in the draw hosts Côte d’Ivoire, Niger Republic, Togo and Ghana will tackle each other in Group A.
Meanwhile, in continuation of their preparation for the tournament, the Golden Eaglets defeated Ejigbo City FC of of Osun three-nil in a friendly game played at the FIFA goal project, Abuja stadium.
It was the 12th friendly game played by the Golden Eaglets as the team intensified preparation for the WAFU B Under-seventeen tournament.
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Head Coach of Flamingos, Bankole Olowookere has invited a total of thirty players to the camp as the team kickstarts preparations for this year’s FIFA Under-seventeen Women’s World Cup finals, taking place in Morocco.
Olowookere invited four goalkeepers, nine defenders, nine midfielders and nine strikers.
The team overpowered South Africa and Algeria in the qualifying series to pick a ticket to the first-ever 24-team FIFA Under-seventeen Women’s World Cup finals, which will be played across four venues in two cities in Morocco, from 17thOctober to 8th November.
The invited players are expected to arrive at camp in Abuja on Sunday, 7th September.
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Former Nigerian international, Victor Ezeji has blamed Super Eagles midfielder Kelechi Nwakali’s lack of discipline for his decline in his football.
Nwakali, who was one of the shining lights for the Golden Eaglets at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, has failed to actualise his dream of playing top football.
Ezeji stated that Nwakali’s attitude remains his biggest problem.
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Former Nigerian international, Finidi George believes Super Eagles midfielder Kelechi Iheanacho will flourish at Celtic.
Finidi stated that Iheanacho will rediscover his best form at Celtic this season.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles star Kelechi Iheanacho said he was delighted to join Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.
The Nigeria international moved to the Hoops on a free transfer.
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The Lagos State Government has kicked-off the 19th edition of the Head of Service Games.
The Head of Service, Bode Agoro, kicked -off the games at the Lagos State Rehabilitation Centre, Isheri-Berger.
Agoro said the primary objectives of the games was to foster the spirit of sportsmanship, comradeship, promotion of the culture of physical fitness and mental wellness amongst Public Servants in the State.
He urged the players to play according to the rules of the game and avoid any act of indiscipline, saying winners in both the male and female categories would receive trophies and other gift items.
Agoro revealed that the organising committee was working on a new model that would be unveiled later this year to give the competition a fresh outlook in the coming edition.
The Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Sunkanmi Oyegbola, said the state government is happy that agencies are participating in the competition, stressing that it is about sportsmanship, physical excercise and wellbeing of the staff.
A member of the Local Organising Committee, Richard Ogbe, said measures had been put in place to ensure that only qualified staff take part in the games, stressing that medical teams and security officers are available to ensure the safety of players.
The first football match of the day saw Team Public Service Office beat Team LASUTH three-nil.
IN ENGLAND
Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa says financial restrictions killed the club in the summer transfer window.
Villa’s only major permanent transfer came early in August when they signed striker Evann Guessand from Nice for twenty-six million pounds and four points three million pounds in add-ons.
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Tottenham’s long-serving executive chairman, Daniel Levy has stepped down after almost twenty-five years at the helm of the club.
Levy was appointed in March 2001 and leaves after Spurs won the Europa League in May to end a seventeen year wait for a trophy.
The 63-year-old was the Premier League’s longest-serving chairman and earned an estimated fifty million pounds-plus during his time in charge, but he was also the target of regular protests from Spurs fans, especially last season.
The company that effectively owns Spurs, the Tavistock Group which is owned by the Lewis family has agreed for Levy to leave his position amid a belief that change will help the ambitions of greater and sustained sporting success.
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West Ham midfielder, Lucas Paqueta is considering suing the Football Association after he was cleared of spot-fixing, while the player’s lawyers are currently considering all options.
The Brazilian was charged by the FA in May 2024 for allegedly getting booked deliberately for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market.
Paqueta was cleared on four counts of supposed spot-fixing by an independent commission in July 2025.
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Chelsea striker, Joao Pedro says he is dreaming of winning the Ballon d’Or award one day.
Pedro is becoming a bright star in the football world, attracting the attention of fans since joining Chelsea this summer.
The Brazilian international also believes that Chelsea have a good chance of potentially winning the Premier League title this season after starting the season with seven points from their opening three games.
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The Independent Football Regulator, IFR, has announced a new owners’ test that is designed to block rogue individuals from buying and running football clubs in England.
Members of Parliament voted to back a Football Governance Bill earlier this year to establish an independent regulator to oversee the men’s game in England’s top five divisions.
In its first major policy announcement, the IFR said it plans to establish a new owners, directors and senior executives test that will give powers to take action when owners or directors fail to meet new requirements.
The IFR said the new proposals would allow it to hold clubs and individuals to account through the use of financial penalties, public censure and requiring an owner to divest from a club.
The test will assess the honesty, integrity and financial soundness of individuals looking to buy a football club and they must prove they have the necessary skills and experience to do so.
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A man accused of using his car as a weapon by deliberately driving into crowds of Liverpool FC fans has pleaded not guilty to thirty-one charges.
More than one hundred and thirty people, including eight children, were injured when a Ford Galaxy car struck pedestrians on Water Street in Liverpool City Centre, as fans celebrated the club’s Premier League victory parade on 26th May.
Former Royal Marine Commando Paul Doyle faces charges including causing grievous bodily harm with intent and dangerous driving.
He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court through videolink from prison where he answered not guilty as each of the charges were put to him.
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OTHER LEAGUES
Germany has suffered a surprise defeat away to Slovakia in their opening World Cup qualifier in Bratislava.
David Hancko gave the hosts the lead three minutes before half-time, running from his own half before playing a one-two with David Strelec, and finishing past visiting keeper Oliver Baumann.
Middlesbrough forward Strelec added the second when he bamboozled Antonio Rudiger ten minutes after the restart with some tidy footwork before curling a shot into the top corner.
Elsewhere, Spain won three-nil in Bulgaria in their opening Group E fixture with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella and Mikel Merino.
In Group G, a late Matty Cash strike gave Poland a one-all draw away to the Netherlands, who opened the scoring through Denzel Dumfries.
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Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez has apologised for his behaviour after spitting at a member of the Seattle Sounders’ coaching staff following his side’s 3-0 Leagues Cup final defeat.
The incident happened shortly after the full-time whistle, following a melee involving both sets of players and sparked by the Uruguayan.
Wales has to dig deep to avoid embarrassment in Kazakhstan as the team held on for a one-nil win that moved them to the top of their World Cup qualifying group.
Kieffer Moore gave the initially dominant visitors a first-half lead on his 50th international appearance, sliding in on the rebound after Liam Cullen’s header from a Harry Wilson free-kick had been saved.
With the final kick of the game, Serikzhan Muzhikov’s curling set-piece flicked the top of the bar and Wales clung on for victory.
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The duo of Scotland players, Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston have withdrawn from the squad for the World Cup qualifiers in Denmark and Belarus, with Josh Doig called up as cover.
Both Celtic defenders played in Sunday’s goalless draw at Rangers, although Ralston appeared to suffer a knock in the Champions League play-off defeat by Kairat.
The right-back started both legs of Scotland’s Nations League play-off loss to Greece in March and won his 21st cap in the four-one friendly win against Liechtenstein in June.
Tierney, capped fifty times, has yet to play ninety minutes in six outings this season.
Scotland begin their campaign in Copenhagen on Friday before travelling to Hungary to face Belarus on Monday.
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Bayern Munich’s highly regarded midfielder, Jamal Musiala has offered comprehensive explanations for the severe injury that has kept him out of action since the summer.
The German international, who suffered both a broken fibula and a dislocated ankle as a result of a significant on-pitch collision with Gianluigi Donnarumma, said the Italian goalkeeper should not be blamed for his injury.
Musiala required surgery after being stretchered off in visible pain, with the club confirming his absence would last for several months.
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OTHER SPORTS
In Tennis, Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka showed true grit as she battled back from a set down to beat Jessica Pegula and reach a third straight US Open final.
In a repeat of last year’s showpiece, fourth seed Pegula was on course to avenge her defeat by Sabalenka as the American home hope grabbed the opening set.
But the Belarusian largely kept her emotions in check to stage a steely 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback victory and continue her bid for a fourth Grand Slam singles title.
Sabalenka had led 4-2 in the first set before Pegula hit back and, after going a break up in the decider, the world number one had to save four break points before closing out victory.
In Formula one, Oscar Piastri says his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris is certainly not out of the fight for the title.
Norris fell to thirty-four points behind Piastri after his engine failed while he was running in second place to the Australian at the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday.
The gap is big enough that Norris would have to win the next five races in a row, with Piastri second in all of them, to retake the championship lead.
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In Rugby, England number eight Alex Matthews says captaining the Red Roses in the Women’s Rugby World Cup on Saturday in front of her father who has terminal cancer, means everything.
The 32-year-old was named skipper for her side’s final pool match in Brighton against Australia, with regular captain Zoe Aldcroft recovering from a knee injury sustained in the opening game.
Having got the all-clear from prostate cancer in 2014, Matthews’ father, Dave, was diagnosed again in 2023 and this has since become terminal.
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In Cricket, Women’s One-Day Cup group leaders Hampshire defended a total of one hundred and one to beat Essex by four runs to stretch their advantage at the summit to five points.
The match at Chelmsford was delayed by five hours, reduced to seventeen overs per side, and was one of only two completed out of the four scheduled on a rain-hit Thursday.
In the other, Lancashire’s hopes of keeping pace with Hampshire were foiled by a five-wicket Duckworth-Lewis-Stern defeat by visitors Somerset.
Elsewhere, Durham’s visit to Warwickshire was washed out without a ball being bowled, while Surrey’s trip to The Blaze was abandoned with the hosts on 66-5.
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In Golf, Rory McIlroy has called on rules officials to use common sense after his group was given a slow play warning during the first round of the Irish Open.
The world number two, who was playing with Thriston Lawrence and Kristoffer Reitan, said he felt agitated after being put on the clock during Thursday’s round at the K Club.
McIlroy bogeyed two of his last three holes to shoot a one-under seventy-one and sit five shots off Spain’s Nacho Elvira.
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In Cycling, Matthew Brennan has powered to victory in a sprint finish on stage three of the Tour of Britain to become the youngest stage winner in the event’s history.
The 20-year-old British rider benefited from a leadout from his Visma-Lease a Bike team-mate and race leader Olav Kooij, coming through to cross the line first in a frantic finale on the one hundred and twenty-two point eight kilometres route from Milton Keynes to Ampthill.
Italy’s Alberto Dainese and Portugal’s Rui Oliveira finished second and third, with Dutch rider Kooij crossing in ninth.
Brennan’s win lifts him to second in the general classification, now ten seconds behind Kooij.
It was his 12th win of the season – Brennan’s first as a professional rider.
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TODAY’S FIXTURE
IN CAF WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
Djibouti vs Burkina Faso
Egypt vs Ethiopia
South Sudan vs Democratic Republic of Congo
Mauritania vs Togo
Senegal vs Sudan
Benin vs Zimbabwe
Lesotho vs South Africa
Congo vs Tanzania
Morocco vs Niger
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IN UEFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
Slovenia vs Sweden
Switzerland vs Kosovo
Denmark vs Scotland
Ukraine vs France
Italy vs Estonia
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” –words from Derek Jeter.
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