CodedSports

Thursday, 17 September 2026

International Friendly: Ndidi, Simon, Nwabali lead Super Eagles to Nizhny Novgorod for Russia

Coach Éric Chelle also on Thursday released his list of 24 players that will battle Russia’s senior men national team in a friendly game scheduled for the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, 6th October.

The squad will be led by captain Wilfred Ndidi, with ace forward Moses Simon, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Benjamin Fredricks, midfielder Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Moses Simon and Akor Adams also called.

Finland-based goalkeeper Samuel James, Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe, and a sextet of midfielders and trio of forwards will enter the Nigeria senior team camp for the first time.

24 SUPER EAGLES FOR FRIENDLY MATCH VERSUS ‘THE BOYS’ OF RUSSIA

Goalkeepers: Michael Atata (Ikorodu City); Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)

Defenders: Kenneth Igboke (Enugu Rangers); Isaac James (Alverca FC, Portugal); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Victory Akpe (FC Basel, Switzerland); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC, England); Abdullahi Bewene (FC Banik Ostrava, Czechia)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany); Chibuzo Nwoko (Fulham FC, England); Stephen Michael (Vendsyssel FF, Denmark); Igor Wilfred (Kristiansund FC, Norway); Ridwan Abdulrasaq (Al Wasl, UAE); Suleiman Mubarak (Slavia Prague, Czechia); Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City);

Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy); Peter Edokpolor (SL Benfica, Portugal); Abubakar Umar (FC Famalicao, Portugal); Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove, Czechia)

AFCON 2027 Race: Chelle Invites Ndidi, Osimhen, Iwobi, 21 Others For Barea & Wild Dogs

Head Coach Éric Chelle has listed captain Wilfred Ndidi, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Semi Ajayi, midfielder Alex Iwobi, forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon in his 24-man roster for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea Bissau, both within the next 12 days.

The Super Eagles host Madagascar’s Barea at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday, 25th September, before flying to Bissau to take on the Wild Dogs in a Day 2 encounter on Tuesday, 29th September.

Chelle has also called goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare.

England-based defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks return to the fold, while Unity Cup revelations goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and defender Chibuike Nwaiwu will battle for shirts with more established names.

Portugal-based defender Isaac James teams up with the three-time African champions for the first time, same for forwards George Ilhenikina and Moses Usor.

Falconets Zoom Into Last Eight After Dominant 3-0 Win Over England

Nigeria's U20 girls, Falconets, fired from all cylinders on Thursday afternoon to side-step England’s Young Lionesses into the quarter-finals of the ongoing FIFA U20 Women's World Cup finals in Poland.

Playing in Bielsko-Biala for the first time since the commencement of the championship, the two-time World Cup silver-medallists showed intent from the opening whistle and were rewarded in the 8th minute when Tosin Rafiu broke the deadlock with a composed finish to put Nigeria 1-0 ahead. The goal came after early pressure from the Nigerians, with Ramotalahi Kareem and Precious Oscar also testing the English defence.

England tried to respond through Lily Dent, Princess Ademiluyi, and Rachel Maltby, but Nigeria's backline stood firm. A Video Assistant Referee review for a penalty in the 33rd minute briefly threatened to change the momentum, but Nigeria’s goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma made a big save to deny Maltby from six yards.

Uzoma was an important performer of the day, making six big saves in a first period that the Nigeria back-line appeared to struggle to contain the big Ademiluyi.

The Falconets held their nerve to go into half-time in the ascendancy, and leading 1-0.

The second half started in perfect fashion for Nigeria. Just two minutes after the restart, Janet Akekoromowei doubled the lead in the 47th minute with a clinical strike, putting England under immense pressure.

The Lionesses made a tactical switch, bringing on Vivienne Lia for Lily Dent, but struggled to create clear-cut chances against a well-organized Nigerian midfield. Coach Moses Aduku’s substitutions proved decisive in the latter stages of the game. Mary Mamudu, introduced in the 61st minute for Ramotalahi Kareem, made an immediate impact. In the 73rd minute, she latched onto an assist from Precious Oscar to slot home Nigeria's third goal, effectively sealing the contest.

England introduced fresh legs in Chloe Hylton, Layla Drury, Eleanor Klinger and Jessie Gale, but their efforts were frustrated by a composed and inspired Falconets. Nigeria continued to control the closing stages, with late introductions of Victory Lucky, Winner Onajite David and Folajomi Olabiyi helping to maintain the intensity.

England pushed for a consolation through Eleanor Klinger and Layla Drury, but were repeatedly caught offside and denied by Nigeria's disciplined defending.

The Falconets will on Sunday take on the winner of the Round of 16 clash between Poland and Colombia. That quarter-final duel is slated for the Władyław Król Municipal Stadium in Łódź, starting from 2pm Nigeria time.

At the final whistle, Aduku said: “We are very happy with this victory. The girls had a very motivating conference call with the NFF Acting General Secretary on Wednesday night and they promised to go all out today. I am happy they did that. We will go back to Łódź and aim for victory against either Poland or Colombia on Sunday.”

NFF’s Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, said: “This win is a great feat by the Falconets. We are delighted at the dominant performance and we will continue to encourage and motivate the girls until they go all the way to clinch the trophy.”

We Will Sanitize Online Space: Osun NUJ Online Chapel Assures Ministries

The Online Media Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council has embarked on courtesy visits to two key ministries in the state to strengthen collaboration. Led by its Chairman, Isa Isawade, the Chapel visited the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning in Osogbo, pledging partnership and support for the ministries’ activities.

At the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Isawade introduced the Chapel as a professional response to the influx of unqualified online media operators, stating that its role is to bridge the gap between the public and authentic media. He congratulated the Commissioner, Hon. Abiodun Bankole, on the recent electoral victory in the state and formally sought a working partnership with the ministry in promoting culture and tourism.

Responding, Commissioner Bankole, who noted he was scheduled to be in Ile-Ife for the unveiling of sponsors for the Olojo Festival, described online media as pertinent while lamenting that social media has become a menace. He encouraged investigative journalism, citing his own experience of one-sided reporting, and charged the Chapel with the responsibility of sanitizing the online space, adding that governance should be judged by proof of activities, not promises.

Bankole attributed the administration’s electoral victory to God, commended INEC for conducting a free and fair process despite initial glitches with IREV, and distinguished the present administration’s people-oriented projects from what he described as unmaintainable projects of the previous government. He urged the Chapel to be diligent, dedicated and to freely criticize his ministry where necessary, while assuring them of his full cooperation.

At the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, the Chapel was received by Commissioner George Bibitayo Alabi, who appreciated the team and expressed satisfaction with its work so far. He declared an open-door policy for the Chapel to his office and staff, welcomed constructive criticisms and observations, and promised a robust partnership with the online journalists.

Alabi highlighted the achievements of the current administration, stating that it has recorded the highest Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in Osun State history through plugging leakages, curbing wasteful spending and fighting corruption. He disclosed that he had personally resisted tempting offers to compromise standards, stressing that integrity remains his driving force, and pledged his full support to the Chapel.

Wednesday, 16 September 2026

Osun FA Set For Smartcity Football League Third Edition

Osun State Football Association is set to kick off the third edition of the Osun FA/Smartcity Football League, a grassroots competition designed to showcase budding talents under the age of 16.

According to the Chairman of Osun FA, Mayor Sola Fanawopo, this year’s edition promises to be keenly contested amongst the 12 teams whose rosters have been announced, with exciting fixtures lined up to thrill football lovers across the state. The league continues to serve as a platform for discovering and nurturing future stars for the state and the nation at large.

Speaking on preparations, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Comrade Tunde Salami, disclosed that the league will maintain its integrity by reflecting the true age of participants. He emphasized that over-age players will be disqualified during the mandatory screening exercise scheduled for Saturday, 26th September, 2026 at the Osogbo Township Stadium. Comrade Salami assured that the LOC is committed to fairness and transparency to ensure only eligible lads take part in the competition.

It would be recalled that Iwo Utd and Hommydays FC emerged as winners of the last two editions. The league is expected to kick-start by October.

The participating teams for this edition are;

1.Crescent FC Inisa,

2. Hommydays FC Osogbo,

3. 3FC NG Ifon,

4. Ovit FA Iragbiji,

5. Igbajo FA

6. Ejigbo FA,

7. Golden Boys Osogbo,

8. Telu FC Iwo,

9. Ijesa GW Feeders Ilesha,

10. Ijesha Sports Academy,

11. TACN Gbongan,

12. Lanreleke SA Ileogbo