Author: Akintayo Adams

Napoli has officially removed Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen from their Serie A squad list for the 2024-25 season, with his iconic No. 9 jersey handed to new signing Romelu Lukaku. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news, revealing that Osimhen’s failure to secure moves to Chelsea or Al-Ahli on transfer deadline day led to this decision. While Osimhen had agreed on personal terms with Al-Ahli for €30 million per season, negotiations collapsed due to Napoli’s demands for additional bonuses. There’s still a slim chance for a move before the Saudi transfer window closes on September 2. Get instant and latest…

Kelechi Ndukwe has achieved a historic milestone as the first Nigerian to command a U.S. Navy warship. On Thursday, August 29, 2024, he was promoted to the rank of Captain in the U.S. Navy. This accomplishment was celebrated by many, including U.S. Army Officer Victor Agunbiade, who shared the news on X, congratulating Ndukwe. “Ladies and Gentlemen, meet the newest US Navy Captain Kelechi Ndukwe. The first Nigerian to have a command of the US Navy War Ship! Congratulations on your promotion Captain! Well deserved,” he wrote. The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, also extended her…

The 2024/25 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season begins on Saturday, 31 August, marking a fresh start for Nigerian football. Defending champions, Enugu Rangers, will face El Kanemi Warriors in a novel opening fixture, also serving as a Community Shield match. Rangers are eager to become the first team in a decade to win consecutive titles, a feat last achieved by Kano Pillars. The opening fixture will air live on StarTimes at 4 p.m. Matchday 1 Fixtures: Saturday, 31 August: Saturday, 7 September: Sunday, 8 September: Title Race and Top Teams: This season promises a thrilling competition. Five teams, including…

Chelsea have secured a loan deal for Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho, with an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met. Sancho, who has scored 12 goals and provided six assists in 83 appearances since his £73 million move from Borussia Dortmund, fell out of favor at United after a disagreement with manager Erik ten Hag. Meanwhile, Chelsea has also loaned Raheem Sterling to Arsenal in a separate Deadline Day move. Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community or Google News online channel.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has reported that 24,025 people are missing in Nigeria, largely from the conflict-ridden Northeast, where Boko Haram insurgency has been particularly devastating. Many of the missing cases involve children, and 492 cases have been resolved so far. The ICRC continues to assist families with psychosocial, economic, legal, and administrative support, and works to reunite separated individuals. Awareness campaigns have been launched to prevent further separations, with 8,788 names of missing persons broadcast on the radio to reconnect families. Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community or Google News online channel.

Bruno Labbadia, the newly appointed head coach of the Nigerian National Team, Super Eagles has withdrawn from his role. Sequel to that, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Augustine Eguavoen, former player and Technical Director of the Super Eagles, as head coach for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda. NFF President Ibrahim Gusau explained that the federation could not bear the burden of Labbadia’s German tax obligations, which led to the breakdown of the agreement. “We have been on the tax issue for the past three days, and I told him clearly that there was no…

Raheem Sterling has joined Arsenal on a season-long loan from Chelsea. The 29-year-old England forward joins after being frozen out at Stamford Bridge by new Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, who has publicly said he “prefers a different kind of winger”. Maresca told Sterling he would not play for the club after he was left out of their opening-day defeat to Manchester City on August 18, and he has not featured in any of their three match-day squads so far this season. Sterling was one of the marquee signings of the early Todd Boehly era, joining for £47.5m in the…

Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, kidnapping for ransom has become Nigeria’s most-reported crime, surpassing murder, banditry, terrorism, and armed robbery. Data from Nigeria’s Ministry of Police Affairs, shared by StatiSense, shows that kidnapping is the leading crime in five out of six regions: North Central, North East, North West, South East, and South-South, while murder ranks highest in the South West. Despite Tinubu’s pledge to tackle insecurity, the issue continues to grow across the country. Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community or Google News online channel.

The Nigerian Police have summoned Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, to appear at the Force Headquarters on September 5, 2024. This follows a prior invitation where Ajaero answered questions related to alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime. The new summons involves accusations of criminal intimidation, conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, and malicious property damage. Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community or Google News online channel.

The UEFA Europa League returns with a new format for the 2024/25 season, featuring a 36-team league phase instead of the traditional group format. The draw, held on August 30, 2024, in Monaco, outlined matchups for the upcoming campaign. Teams will play eight matches, split between home and away games against opponents from four seeded pots, avoiding clashes with UEFA Champions League fixtures. When are the Europa League league phase matches? Matchday 1: 25/26 September 2024Matchday 2: 3 October 2024Matchday 3: 24 October 2024Matchday 4: 7 November 2024Matchday 5: 28 November 2024Matchday 6: 12 December 2024Matchday 7: 23 January 2025Matchday…