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NFF Apologises To Nigerians Over Failure To Qualify For 2022 World Cup

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4 years ago

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The Nigeria Football Federation has offered an unreserved apology to the Federal Government and Nigerians for the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals holding in Qatar.

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi expressed regrets that the team failed to qualify despite the enormous support of the government and the fans who came out to support the team at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja for the clash with Ghana’s Black Stars on Tuesday.
“There was nothing the team needed that was lacking. The Government provided necessary support; the NFF put all logistics in place with the active support of the Sports Ministry and Nigerians turned out en masse to support the team. The truth is that we left nothing to chance. It is sad that things turned out the way they did.

“Sport is about winning and losing. Nobody wants to lose but sometimes it happens that way. We were quite sad that despite playing a draw in Kumasi, the Super Eagles could not win here in Abuja. We apologise unreservedly to the government and people of Nigeria for this non-qualification.”

The Super Eagles could only achieve a score draw (1-1) against the Black Stars, which ended their hopes of playing at the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar as Ghana sneaked through on the away-goal rule.

Meanwhile, the NFF has expressed shock and sorrow over the death of FIFA/CAF Medical Officer, Dr Joseph Kabungo, who died after the game.

Dr Kabungo was the Doping Control Officer for the match.

Despite various media reports stating that the Zambian medical died following the fans’ violence after the match, Sanusi explained the situation surrounding the death of Dr Kabungo.

“We are terribly shocked at this sad development. The NFF commiserates with world football –body FIFA, the Confederation of African Football, the Football Association of Zambia, and the family of Dr Kabungo on his sudden passing.

His death pains us very much and we are in a state of deep shock.

“However, it is important to state the facts as they are. According to the information from our own medical officer, Dr Onimisi Ozi Salami who was appointed by FIFA as Medical Officer for the game, Dr Kabungo was found gasping for breath near the dressing room of the Ghanaian team.

I was notified and ordered that he should be rushed to the hospital. He didn’t make it.

He died just as they got to the hospital,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said.

Dr Ozi Salami further explained that the incident happened when he (Dr Salami) was looking to get the Nigerian player for the doping exercise, while Dr Kabungo was looking to get a Ghanaian player for the same exercise.

“I was heading to the dressing room of the Nigerian team when the General Coordinator, Kabore Hubert Bosilong from South Africa called my attention.

Dr Kabungo suddenly started gasping for breath. The FIFA Security Officer for the match, Mr Dixon Adol Okello from Uganda also witnessed the incident,” the statement added.

“We tried to resuscitate him there and then, but when this did not appear to be working, we put him in an ambulance and rushed him to Cedar Crest Hospital in Apo, where he gave up the ghost.

It is a very sad incident and one is shocked that some persons have been putting a terrible slant to the whole thing by saying he was beaten up by fans. That is a lie. He died as a result of sudden cardiac arrest.”

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

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6 hours 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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17 hours ago

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August 10, 2026

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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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1 day 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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