Gold Cup Pre-season Tournament Gets August 13 Kickoff Date

Sporting Lagos will defend their Gold Cup title as Nigeria's top off-season football tournament begins in Ikenne and Apele-Sagamu from Thursday, 13th August, to 22nd.

Now in its 14th season, the Confederation of African Football (CAF)-certified Remo Stars International Stadium and FC Ebedei Stadium will host the 10-day football festival.

Sporting Lagos, which recently gained promotion back to the Nigeria Premier Football League, has the potential to become the second team, after Remo Stars, to win consecutive Gold Cup titles.

Tunde Shamsudeen, the pre-season tournament's General Coordinator, shared with Gold Cup Media Channel. 

"We're excited to announce the kickoff date. It's always special to see top NPFL teams face each other or battle potential giant killers in thrilling matchups.

"Our goals remain the same: the Gold Cup serves as a competitive platform to prepare teams across Nigeria's three-tier league for the upcoming football season.

"We're confident that the 2026 edition of the Gold Cup will be a major success that surpasses all previous achievements," Shamsudeen added.

Previous winners of the Gold Cup include Sunshine Stars FC (in the inaugural edition), defunct Sharks FC, Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars FC, Niger Tornadoes, ABS Ilorin FC, Remo Stars, Beyond Limits and Shooting Stars.

Super Falcons Star Says WAFCON Expansion Won’t Change Nigeria’s Title Ambition

 

Super Falcons Star Says WAFCON Expansion Won’t Change Nigeria’s Title Ambition

 

Super Falcons’ ace forward Rinsola Babajide believes that the increase in the number of participating teams at this year’s Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco will only make the tournament more exciting.

 

Ahead of the final tournament scheduled for Morocco 26th July – 16th August, the Italian Serie A Femminile champion with AS Roma told thenff.com that the competition transmuting from a 12-nation to a 16-nation-finals does not make much difference, as the motivation to triumph remains the same for the Cup holders.

 

“I think it makes it more exciting. We all know that this year’s Women AFCON is also for qualification to the World Cup finals. Of course, we all want to be there. I think it will make it more competitive but for us, the goal remains the same.

 

“For us as a team, whether we are playing just to be crowned champions of Africa or for qualification to next year’s World Cup, the pressure is the same as we want to win. The only pressure actually is the one we put on ourselves. We know what we signed up for as professionals and being the defending champions, we want to retain our trophy.”

 

The exciting forward, who was part of the squad that reclaimed the Women AFCON title for Nigeria in Morocco last year, looked back at her earlier years and credited her development as a complete player to the excellent foundation she got in England and the resilience she has learnt with Nigeria.

 

“I’ve been blessed to have the best of two worlds. England helped me develop my game from age-grade football; I am forever grateful for that. I have continued to grow as an experienced player with Nigeria and I do not take this for granted. I have learnt resilience and professionalism in both environments and these make me a better player and a better person. We know what it takes to win and as a team, we will give it our all in Morocco to retain the trophy. We are all determined to make Nigeria proud in Morocco.”

Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo Denies Rape Allegations, Seeks Evidence From Public

 

The Headquarters, Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, has called for victims and eyewitnesses to present verifiable evidence as it continues to investigate allegations of misconduct involving some recently passed-out personnel.

In a press statement signed by Major Ibrahim Yahaya, Assistant Director Army Public Relations, on July 3, 2026, the Command said it remains committed to a “thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation” into all allegations of unprofessional conduct following its initial release of June 30, 2026.

The statement addressed rape allegations recently attributed to the Vice Chancellor of Osun State University, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, and amplified on social media platforms. 

According to the Army, it has not received “any formal complaint, medical report, or credible evidence from any alleged victim, witness, or the University Management to substantiate the claim of rape by our personnel.”

“In the absence of such concrete evidence, we view the widespread circulation of this specific allegation as unconfirmed and potentially misleading to the public,” the statement read.

Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo has constituted a Board of Inquiry which it says “will leave no stone unturned.” The Command appealed directly to any alleged victim(s) of assault or sexual misconduct, and any eyewitness(es) with videos, photographs, medical records, or statements, to come forward.

“You are kindly requested to come forward and present your evidence directly and confidentially to the Board of Inquiry at the Headquarters, Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, or through the Army Public Relations Office,” the statement said. 

It assured that “Your identity and safety will be protected in line with military and legal procedures,” adding that this is “the only credible path to identifying and prosecuting the culprits if they exist.”

The Army urged the Media, NANS, University Management, and the public to avoid spreading unverified information. 

“Sensationalism and disinformation only hinder the search for truth and can cause unnecessary panic among students and host communities,” Major Yahaya said.

The Command also reiterated that the Nigerian Army “does not condone indiscipline” and that any personnel found culpable will be dealt with in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other extant laws.

Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo further restated its commitment to civil-military cooperation, the protection of students, and the upholding of human rights, promising to update the public as the investigation progresses.

FC Ebedei Players, Officials Arrive In Europe For Training Tour

 

FC Ebedei Players, Officials Arrive In Europe For Training Tour

FC Ebedei's players and officials have arrived in Denmark for a three-month training tour. 

The contingent, including Club President, Barrister Churchill Oliseh, General Manager and Head of Youth development Coach Fredrick Oliseh, Head Coach Ifeanyi Emeghara, along with assistant coaches not excluding the club's emerging talents. 

FC Ebedei apparently left the NLO play off venue and directly to the airport on Wednesday night and arriving Denmark safely on Thursday. 

The training tour in Denmark include trips to Sweden, Spain and Portugal. 

During their stay in Europe, FC Ebedei coaches will hit the classroom for coaching education, certification and development.

While learning from some of the game's most successful and experienced frontline coaches and instructors on new trends in youth football development, the coaches will also have the opportunity to practice their new skills on the field for three months. 

Coincidentally, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport departure lounge, the team met Super Eagles legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha.

The former Super Eagles captain was quite impressed with such foresight by FC Ebedei towards youth identification and development. 

The AFCON 1994 champion in Tunisia then engaged briefly with the players, motivating them to excel both on and off the field during the tour and all through their careers. 

Responding FC EBEDEI Director of Football, Babatunde Oladeinde, was full of appreciation.

Super Eagles Ex-GK Trainer Baruwa Top Of NPFL Shopping List

 

Super Eagles Ex-GK Trainer Baruwa Top Of NPFL Shopping List

Clubs in the NPFL are jostling for the signature of immediate past Super Eagles Goalkeeper’s Trainer, Olatunji Baruwa MON, the proven fixer is currently with Nasarawa United, where he’d worked under senior coaches like Coach Adams, Coach Kabiru Dogo, and Coach Salisu Yusuf to restore real balance in the goalkeeping department. 

His resume reads like a national team roll call, Future Eagles, Golden Eaglets, Flying Eagles, and the Super Eagles. When a man with that CV is available, the market moves.

Nasarawa United are struggling to keep Baruwa against next season, and the tempo is real because the club is looking to regroup from July 14. They narrowly missed out on a continental slot last season, and keeping a coach of Baruwa’s calibre is key to pushing over that line. For the Solid Miners, losing him would feel like taking a step back just as they are ready to take two forward.

Meanwhile, the plot thickens in Minna. Following the dissolution of the management and Technical Crew of NPFL side Nigeria Tornadoes FC, Baruwa may find it tempting to say goodbye to Lafia. A clean slate, a big rebuilding job, and his national team pedigree could make Tornadoes an attractive project. In the same vein, two other NPFL heavyweights are testing Nasarawa United’s resolve. They see what Baruwa did with the keepers’ unit and want that same structure and discipline in their own dressing room.

It’s going to be interesting days ahead. The Osogbo-born CAF B license holder has even done a stint as head coach at then Nigeria National League side Osun United, so he’s not afraid of responsibility. Will he stay and finish what he started in Lafia, or will the pull of a new challenge win out? Whoever lands Baruwa MON will not just be signing a goalkeeper trainer; they’ll be signing a culture and game changer. Interesting days ahead while transfer window lasts.