Author: Coach Austin

NFF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT Nigeria and Ghana will battle for the ultimate prize in the inaugural WAFU U17 Girls’ Cup on Sunday – incidentally, the same day the home-based senior men clash in Accra in the first leg of the 8th African Nations Championship qualifying fixture pitting both countries against each other. On Thursday night, in the second semi-final of the WAFU U17 Girls’ Cup, World Cup quarter-finalists Nigeria defeated their counterparts from Benin Republic 2-0, both goals coming in the second half of the encounter at the Ghana Centre of Excellence in Prampram. Sunday’s final will also take place at…

Black Galaxies players have hit the gym ahead of the first leg of the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifier against Nigeria on Sunday December 22, 2024. The session on Tuesday and Wednesday focused on weight and fitness training as the players were put through their paces at the University of Ghana and Accra Sports Stadium respectively. The players underwent their drills to keep in top shape for Sunday’s crunch tie against eternal rivals Nigeria under the supervision of the Black Galaxies physios and coaching staff. Coach Mas Ud Didi Dramani should have a fully fit 23-man squad to select…

– HOME BASE STARS The CHAN Eagles have completed their final training session and are set to travel to Ghana for the first leg of the 2025 CHAN qualifiers. This is a crucial match for the team, as they will be looking to qualify for the tournament and continue their strong performance in recent years. The first leg will be played on December 22nd at the Accra Sports Stadium, followed by the return leg on December 28th at the Nest of Champions in Uyo. It will be a tough game for the CHAN Eagles, as Ghana is a strong opponent…

PRESS RELEASE BENIN CROWN PRINCE COMMITS TO ADVANCEMENT OF NSC GRASSROOTS SPORTS INITIATIVES National Sports Commission is collaborating with Prince Ezelekhae Ewuare, crown prince of Great Benin kingdom, as the Commission’s grassroots sports ambassador. Speaking while unveiling the grassroots sports ambassador, NSC chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko pointed out that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR disposition towards grassroots sports development informs the commission’s unflinching move in this direction. His words, “The president is fully committed to taking sports to the grassroots. He believes that we need regular supply of talents from the grassroots to advance and sustain our giant strides…

Calls for a united federation to build sustainable eSports economy As part of the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) ongoing commitment to revamp eSports in Nigeria, the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, has convened a strategic meeting with key stakeholders in the eSports ecosystem. Speaking during the virtual meeting, Hon. Olopade emphasized the resolve of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to position Nigeria as a major player in the multi-billion-dollar eSports industry. “This meeting is the next step of the Commission’s determination to place eSports where it rightly belongs and gives it the right regulation and framework for sustainable operation,” he…

Expectedly, Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman scooped the Africa Player of the Year award at the 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday night, less than 33 months after winning his first cap for Nigeria at international level. The 27-year-old won the FIFA U17 World Cup with England before committing his future to Nigeria, and helped steer the Super Eagles to the runner-up position at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year. Also, he was key to Italian side Atalanta FC winning the UEFA Europa Cup last season, and this year, has scored 11 goals…

If National Sports Commission (NSC) chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko has his way, the longstanding belief that golf is an elitist sport will become a thing of the past. To this end, Dikko is engaging with FCT Golf Association. At a meeting with the association’s chairman Akabom Enebong, the consensus was that there should be a conscious effort to take the sport to the grassroots. “We have always had the impression that golf is for the rich and privileged, but there are talented kids out there who are not from wealthy homes and can’t afford the very expensive golf kits. There…

Stability at the Nigeria Football Federation will be a catalyst for Nigeria as the Super Eagles gear up for the crucial stages of the World Cup qualifiers. This was the view of National Sports Commission (NSC) chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko while congratulating Dr. Mohammed Sanusi on his reappointment as NFF General Secretary. Receiving Sanusi in his office, Dikko reiterated the Commission’s resolve to ensure that Nigeria’s flag is hoisted at the next World Cup. “I congratulate Dr. Sanusi on his reappointment. We are entering a very crucial stage in our World Cup qualification and we can’t afford any uncertainty or inconsistency.…

Clement Nwankpa Jr To actualize the mandate by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu pertaining to sports development and sports economy, National Sports Commision Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko on Tuesday listed three Rs serving as pillars upon which this mandate will be activated.  He was speaking during the Commission’s meeting with the Presidents and Secretaries of Sports Federations. Here are the pillars… RESET A call to change our perception and way of reasoning in the sector.  He said, “We need to reset our thinking from this obsession for competitions and medals to development. We have to note that sports development comes before competitions which…

Lobi Stars aim for victory over Plateau United in the ongoing NPFL season. The derby showdown takes place on matchday 17 in Lafia. Daniel Amokachi’s side prepares to rebound from a narrow defeat by Nasarawa United. They focus on the clash against Coach Mbwas Mangut’s team. Their goal is to leapfrog out of the red zone. Head to Head Lobi Stars and Plateau United met last season. Both teams secured their home games, but lost away. Lobi Stars won 1-0 at home, while Plateau United triumphed 2-1 in the reverse fixture. This season, they aim to improve their away performance…