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International friendlies: Ighalo, Iheanacho missing in Coach Salisu Yusuf’s 30-man list against Mexico, Ecuador

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Super Eagles of Nigeria
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Super Eagles’ First Assistant Coach, Salisu Yusuf, has listed 30 players, including eight home-based professionals, excluding the foreign-based duo of Odion Ighalo and Kelechi Iheanacho, for upcoming international friendlies.

The list, released on Tuesday by the Communications Department of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), however, has featured captain Ahmed Musa, as well as forward Moses Simon.

The list was released ahead of the international friendlies against the “A” Men National Teams of Mexico and Ecuador, scheduled for the U.S.

The Super Eagles will clash with CONCACAF powerhouse Mexico at the AT & T Stadium in Dallas, Texas on May 28.

They will then head to New Jersey to tackle Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison on June 2.

Yusuf, who is also Head Coach of the CHAN and national under-23 teams, has included home-based goalkeepers Adewale Adeyinka and Ojo Olorunleke who are to support the returning Maduka Okoye.

He also called up defender Ibrahim Buhari, and forwards Victor Mbaoma and Ishaq Rafiu, with the home-based players being two goalkeepers, two defenders, two midfielders and two forwards.

A statement from NFF said only 25 of the 30 players will make the final list for the tour, which is preparatory for June’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches.

The qualifiers are against Sierra Leone in Abuja (June 9) and São Tomé & Príncipe in Marrakech, Morocco (June 13).

Full list of invited players:

Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands); Adewale Adeyinka (Akwa United); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba International FC).

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Isa Ali (Remo Stars); Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Ibrahim Buhari (Plateau United)

Midfielders: Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Watford FC, England); Chiamaka Madu (Rivers United); Babatunde Afeez Nosiru (Kwara United); Azubuike Okechukwu (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey); Samson Tijani (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria); Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Emmanuel Dennis (Watford FC, England); Cyriel Dessers (Feyenoord FC, The Netherlands); Victor Mbaoma (Enyimba FC); Ishaq Rafiu (Rivers United)

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Sports Blast

Commonwealth Fencing Championships: Winning Five Gold Medals, India Top The Medal Table

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60 minutes ago

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August 10, 2026

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England is second with two gold medals, while Cyprus and Nigeria have claimed one gold medal each at the championships.

The competition is taking place at Rugby School Nigeria, Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos

The championships have attracted fencers from across the Commonwealth, with colourful displays of national flags and enthusiastic support from spectators.

India has also secured seven silver and 12 bronze medals, underlining its dominance at the championships.

England has recorded one silver and five bronze medals, while Australia is among the top five nations with one silver and one bronze medal.

For Nigeria, Oghenegaren Osievwa-Thompson’s gold medal remains one of the biggest highlights and a historic achievement for the host nation.

Another major attraction has been the introduction of wheelchair fencing as a medal event for the first time.

Wheelchair fencing was previously featured as a demonstration sport at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and has now made its medal-event debut in Lagos.

The initiative is expected to promote inclusion and provide more opportunities for athletes with disabilities to compete at elite level.

Nigeria, hosting the championships for the first time, is represented by a 12-member team comprising six male and six female fencers.

The Nigerian athletes are competing against opponents from South Africa, India, England, Australia and other Commonwealth countries.

Several participants have praised the Local Organising Committee for the smooth organisation of the championships and efficient event management.

Fencers from South Africa, England, Australia and India commended the accreditation process, logistics arrangements and overall coordination of the competition.

Bethany Brierley of England, winner of the women’s sabre gold medal, described her experience in Lagos as enjoyable and inspiring.

“I am enjoying myself in Lagos because the environment is inspiring and the people are very friendly,” she said.

Brierley also praised the commitment shown by young Nigerian fencers during the championships.

“The enthusiasm of the young Nigerian fencers shows they are working hard to raise the profile of the sport as a developing nation,” she said.

A South African fencer said the competition had been organised smoothly, allowing athletes to focus fully on their events.

An Indian fencer said the warm reception from Nigerians had made the championships a memorable experience.

The athletes agreed that the event was not only about winning medals but also strengthening friendship among Commonwealth nations through sport.

With wheelchair fencing and impressive performances, the Lagos championships are providing opportunities for athletes to compete, develop and inspire future generations.

The event also highlights Nigeria’s growing role in advancing fencing and promoting inclusive sports development across Africa.

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Abuja Unity Cup: Mgbuka FC edge Tyre Plaza FC 1-0 in final

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12 hours ago

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August 10, 2026

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Mgbuka FC
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Mgbuka FC of Apo on Sunday defeat Tyre Plaza FC 1-0 to clinch the maiden 2026 Game Changer Unity Cup,  in the final in Abuja.

The final took place at the Stadium of Light within Covenant Garden Estate, Apo-Dutse, Abuja.

The tournament that began on June 5, featured 16 teams and concluded on Sunday after more than two months of competition.

Mgbuka FC claimed victory after a closely contested encounter against Tyre Plaza FC, who had remained unbeaten throughout the tournament before the final.

Speaking after the match, Abuja Automobile Spare Parts Dealers Association Chairman and Mgbuka FC Executive Chairman, Onyeka Eze, thanked God and supporters.

“Today marks the end of the Game Changer Unity Cup. We thank God that everything was successful,” Eze said.

He said the competition was organised to foster unity in Apo and create opportunities for young people to develop their football talents.

“I thank the whole of Apo for supporting us in any way you did. God will reward you,” he added.

Nureni Makanjuola of Water FC praised the organisers and media for promoting grassroots football and supporting youth development through sport.

“Game Changer truly loves grassroots football and believes in structures that can take this competition to the next level,” Makanjuola said.

He urged organisers to sustain the tournament and expand it to other parts of Abuja to discover more young talents.

Makanjuola also commended Abuja Municipal Area Council chairman, Philip Maikalangu, councillors and other dignitaries for supporting the initiative.

Mgbuka FC captain, Chukwujekwu Nwanze, described the triumph as a fitting reward for the team’s dedication and preparation.

“I am very happy. Winning the cup in the final is a great feeling. The officiating went well and the fans were fantastic,” he said.

Nwanze attributed the victory to consistent training, teamwork, quality players and effective ball possession throughout the tournament.

Tyre Plaza FC captain, Ugochukwu Elekwachi, congratulated the organisers and described the competition as a valuable experience despite defeat.

He said his side performed well but lacked the fortune required to secure victory in the final.

“We are not giving up. By next season, we will come out stronger,” Elekwachi said.

Tyre Plaza FC coach, Francis Chimobi, praised his players for reaching the final and commended the peaceful organisation of the tournament.

“I am not disappointed. I will tell my boys to come out stronger next season,” Chimobi said.

He added that the competition provided an important platform for grassroots football development and attracted significant community support.

Mgbuka FC received the trophy, medals and N1 million prize money for emerging champions.

Tyre Plaza FC earned N500,000 and a trophy as runners-up, while third-placed NATA FC received N300,000.

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WAFCON: Super Falcons Crash Out, Lose Automatic World Cup Ticket

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19 hours ago

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August 10, 2026

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been eliminated from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon on Sunday in Casablanca.

Cameroon’s 19-year-old forward, Myriam Nyadjou, scored the only goal of the match in the 19th minute with a powerful free-kick that beat Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

The defending champions pushed hard for an equaliser, but Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina produced several impressive saves to keep Nigeria at bay.

Nigeria came closest to scoring in stoppage time when Esther Okoronkwo found herself with an opportunity, but her effort went wide.

Six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala was introduced late in the game after recovering from an injury, but she could not change the outcome.

The defeat means Nigeria have missed out on an automatic qualification ticket for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and will now have to rely on the play-offs to secure a place at the tournament.

Cameroon will face hosts Morocco in the WAFCON semi-final on Wednesday.

The defeat is only Nigeria’s second loss to Cameroon in 14 WAFCON meetings.

Nigeria, who are record 10-time African champions, reached the Round of 16 at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where they were eliminated by England on penalties.

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