Super Falcons Stand United: NFF Condemns Racist Abuse Directed At Esther Okoronkwo Ahead Of WAFCON Opener

 

Super Falcons Stand United: NFF Condemns Racist Abuse Directed At Esther Okoronkwo Ahead Of WAFCON Opener

Oluchi Tobex Tobe-Chukwu

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has issued a stern statement strongly condemning the "unacceptable racist abuse" directed at Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo on social media. 

The disturbing online attacks occurred in the wake of a recent incident at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, which served as the national team's pre-WAFCON training camp. The squad spent 10 days at the facility before moving to Rabat, where they will play their three group matches. 

In its official release, the NFF provided definitive clarity on the hotel situation that preceded the online harassment. The federation confirmed that the individual responsible for a theft at the team's camp was swiftly apprehended by authorities. Justice was served promptly, with the perpetrator made to return the stolen cash in full before being sentenced to six months in prison.

Given the swift legal resolution of the crime, the NFF expressed absolute bewilderment and outrage at the unwarranted backlash against their forward. 

"The racist abuse and emojis directed at our player make absolutely no sense," the NFF stated, firmly reiterating that "discrimination in any form has no place in football or society". The governing body underscored that the safety, dignity, and overall well-being of its players remain its utmost priority.

Despite the unsettling off-field distraction, the morale within the Nigerian camp appears unbreakable. The NFF assured supporters that the entire Super Falcons squad stands united and is completely unbothered by the external noise. 

With the legal matter firmly handled, the reigning African queens remain fully focused on the task at hand , Tuesday's opener against Malawi.

Adeleke’s Commissioner Urges President Tinubu To Ensure Free, Fair Election In Osun Ahead Of August 15 Poll

 

Adeleke’s Commissioner Urges President Tinubu To Ensure Free, Fair Election In Osun Ahead Of August 15 Poll

The Osun State Commissioner for Political Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, Hon. Biyi Odunlade, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and guarantee a free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State on August 15.

Odunlade made the appeal on Wednesday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Guest Platform in Osogbo, where he alleged that deliberate efforts were being made to intimidate voters and undermine democracy in the state.

According to him, the lingering crisis in the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, is being “orchestrated and programmed” to create fear and suppress voter turnout.

“The crisis in the NURTW is orchestrated. It is organised to hijack power from the sitting government by creating fear and instability. The aim is to intimidate voters and create an atmosphere where people will be afraid to come out and vote,” he alleged.

The commissioner claimed some political actors plan to “start from the markets” on election day because “market women are easily frightened.”

“I asked an APC member what their strategy was. He told me once they hear gunshots, ordinary voters who have no political affiliation will stay away from polling units. That is dangerous for democracy,” Odunlade said.

He also faulted the alleged non-neutrality of federal security agencies in the state.  

“There is hardly any security committee meeting that the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, attends personally. He always sends representatives. At a time when security is critical, especially ahead of an election, that should not be the case,” he added.

Odunlade further accused the Federal Government of double standards in handling local government allocations, citing President Tinubu’s past legal battle for Lagos when he was governor.

“When President Tinubu was Governor of Lagos State, he went to court over withheld allocations and eventually got justice. Today, Osun State’s allocation has been withheld, yet the same sympathy is not extended to the state. We are asking for consistency and fairness,” he said.

The commissioner urged the President to allow Osun people to decide their next governor without external interference.

Osun SWAN Pays Tribute To Late Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi, Ooni's Elder Brother

 

Osun SWAN Pays Tribute To Late Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi, Ooni's Elder Brother

The Osun State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) extends its heartfelt condolences to the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, over the passing of his immediate elder brother, Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi.

In a jointly signed statement  by chairman Timothy Agbor and secretary Tunde Adeleke,  the association received the news of the demise of the respected prince with deep sadness, describing it as a painful loss not only to the Ogunwusi Royal Family and the people of Ile-Ife but also to Osun State and the nation at large.

Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi was widely respected for his humility, integrity, entrepreneurial accomplishments and unwavering commitment to humanity. His exemplary life and selfless service to society have left an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire many generations.

As the Royal Patron of Osun SWAN, the Ooni of Ife has consistently demonstrated uncommon support for the growth and development of sports journalism and youth advancement in Osun State. The association therefore shares in the grief of Kabiyesi and the entire Ogunwusi family during this difficult period.

Osun SWAN prays that the Almighty grants the late Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi eternal rest and comforts His Imperial Majesty, the Ogunwusi Royal Family, the people of Ile-Ife, as well as all friends, associates and loved ones affected by this irreparable loss.

The association urges the royal family to take solace in the remarkable life of service, compassion and excellence lived by the deceased, whose memory will remain cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Poland 2026: Falconets Resume Camping In Abuja

 

Poland 2026: Falconets Resume Camping In Abuja

Nigeria’s U20 Women’s National Team, the Falconets, have commenced camping in Abuja ahead of the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to hold in Poland 5th – 27th September. A total of 28 players have been invited, with 16 of them already in camp as preparations gather momentum for the global showpiece. More of the invited players are expected to join the team in the coming days.

The technical crew, headed by Coach Moses Aduku, has immediately swung into action with intensive training sessions aimed at fine-tuning the squad for what promises to be another memorable campaign on the world stage. The Falconets secured qualification for the World Cup after an impressive qualifying campaign, with a 5-0 aggregate spanking of Rwanda in the second round before edging Senegal 3-2 on aggregate in the penultimate round. They sealed their ticket to Poland with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Malawi in the final qualifying round, extending Nigeria’s remarkable record as the only African nation to qualify for every edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 2002.

Nigeria remains one of the most successful teams in the tournament’s history, having finished as runners-up in 2010 and 2014, while also reaching the semi-finals in 2012. At the last edition in Colombia in 2024, the Falconets began their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Korea Republic before advancing to the Round of 16, where they bowed out to Japan.

Drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and Paraguay, the Falconets will be aiming to build on their rich legacy and mount a serious challenge for a historic  FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup title.

WAFU B U20 Championship: Flying Eagles To Play Ghana, Togo & Burkina Faso

 

 

WAFU B U20 Championship: Flying Eagles To Play Ghana, Togo & Burkina Faso

 

Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles, have been drawn to play Ghana’s Black Satellites, Togo’s Junior Sparrow Hawks and Burkina Faso’s Young Stallions in the group phase of this year’s West Africa Football Union (WAFU) B U20 Championship to be hosted by Cote d’Ivoire.

 

The draw conducted on Wednesday put the Flying Eagles and their opponents in Group B, while hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Benin Republic and Niger Republic make up Group A.

 

Head Coach Abdu Maikaba and his charges will depart the country on Monday next week, with 23 players who are focused on making the country proud by winning one of WAFU B’s two tickets to next year’s U20 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Ghana.

 

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, seven-time African champions and two-time FIFA World Cup silver-medallists, are the defending champions of the WAFU B U20 Championship, having defeated Ghana’s Satellites 2-1 in the final of the last edition of the competition in Lome in 2024.