EPL NEW SEASON: Ighalo trains hard on Lagos beach

By Akeem Lawal

Wartford forward, Odion Ighalo continues to keep fit ahead of the 2016/17 Premier League campaign by training on a beach in Lagos.

CONFLUENCE VS TARABA: Susan counts on fans' support

CONFLUENCE Queens skipper, Tobiloba Susan Olanrewaju is hoping on fans' support to sustain the side in the ongoing Nigeria Women Premier League campaign.

DSTVPBL: Kano State Sports Commission receives victorious Kano Pillars

By Akeem Lawal
THE 2016 DStv Premier Basketball League champions,  Kano Pillars Basketball Club on Wednesday presented the trophies and various individual sports awards won at the just concluded Final-8 in Lagos to the Chairman Kano State Sports Commission, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima (Galadiman fagge ).

Phoenix target first NLO win against Juvenile

PHOENIX Athletic Club of Ijan Ekiti players have declared they will secure their first maximum points in the Nationwide League One as they battle against Juvenile Football Club of Ilaro at the Sports Complex of Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti.

Ekofootball Stars set for Youdan Tourney

BARRING any unforseen circumstances, EkoFootball Future Stars, the  Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) developmental team are set to be part of the 2016 Youdan Trophy tournament holding this summer in Sheffield, United Kingdom.

MFM players return to training ahead of Ikorodu Utd clash

MOUNTAIN of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club of Lagos held its first training session on Tuesday, 28th of June, 2016 at the Prayer City training ground in preparation for this weekend's tie against neighbors, Ikorodu United Football Club of Lagos.

OLYMPICS: Dalung assures foreign tours for athletes

THE Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung says the second phase of camping of athletes to the Rio Olympic Games will start soon.

Barrister Dalung made the statement while answering questions from journalists at a conference to mark the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking held at the City hall in Lagos.

AFRICA CHAMPIONS CUP: NBBF charges Pillars, Customs to go for glory

By Akeem Lawal

PRESIDENT of the Nigeria Basketball Federation Tijani Umar has charged the country's representatives to the FIBA Zone 3 African Champions Cup (ACC) qualifiers, Kano Pillars and Nigeria Customs to aim for top place finish at the competition.

Ighalo won’t submit transfer request at Watford

By Akeem Lawal 
Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo says the outcome of his meeting with the newly appointed Watford coach Walter Mazzarri will determine if he will be at the club next season or not.

RIO OLYMPICS: Omeruo awaits Chelsea approval

By Akeem Lawal                                                                                                                                     NIGERIA international, Kenneth Omeruo has revealed that he still awaits approval from Chelsea before representing the country at the football event of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

I’m back to form, Olorundare warns NPFL teams

By Akeem Lawal

Sunshine Stars striker, Dele Olorundare says he has discovered his scoring form after netting twice against MFM in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 24 clash decided at the Akure Township Stadium on Sunday.

World Rugby certified Referee Course will improve Nigeria rugby, says NRFF

THE Vice President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Olatunji Fasimonye says the first World Rugby certified referee level one training course recently held in Lagos will help to develop the game in the country.

DStv PBL: MVP Usman glad to prove critics wrong

By Akeem Lawal                                      

THE Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the just concluded 2016 DStv Premier Basketball League Final 8 playoffs, Abubakar Usman of Kano Pillars is hoping his award will silence his critics once and for all.

NNL: Jatau salutes players after Yarmalight draw

HEAD Coach of Kogi United, Ishaya Jatau has commended his players for their display during the team’s goalless draw against FC Yarmalight in a Week 5 of the Nigeria National League, NNL encounter at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe on Sunday.

Black Stallions begin camping ahead Rugby World Cup qualifier

THE Nigeria Rugby Football Federation has called-up a 23-man list for a two-week intensive camping exercise for the country’s national rugby team, Black Stallions ahead of the pre-qualifiers for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

NPFL All Stars for Carranza, LaLiga World Tourney

AN All Stars cast of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) players will embark on an international friendly tour of Spain as part of the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the the League Management Company (LMC) and the Spanish Football League, LaLiga.

CBN OPEN 2016: Melissa honoured to defend singles, doubles titles

RUSSIA-BASED female tennis star,  Melissa Ifidzhen said she looks forward to dominating the Central Bank of Nigeria Open Tennis Championship for more years to come after successfully defending her women's singles and doubles title.

Afolabi blames 'controversial' penalty for Go Round defeat

PRIME FC coach, Shina Afolabi has attributed his team's 3-2 loss to Go Round in a Week 5 tie of the Nigeria National League on lack of concentration which was due to a 'controversial' penalty awarded against his team during the course of the game.

Confluence coach faults officiating in Rivers Angels defeat

CONFLUENCE Queens Coach, Shola Ibrahim Adewuyi expressed dissatisfaction with the level of officiating by the centre referee during the team's 2-0 loss to Rivers Angels in the Nigeria Women Football League encounter at the Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

DSTV PBL: Kano Pillars battle Customs in final

FORMER champions and tournament favourites, Kano Pillars booked a ticket to the finals of the 2016 National final 8 of the DSTV/NBBF Premier Basketball League after beating Kwara Falcons 72-56 points in the semi final at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Lagos National Stadium on Friday.

Go Round, Prime talk tough ahead of NNL clash

GO Round Football Club of Omoku, and Prime Football Club will square up on Saturday evening in a Nigeria National League Week 5 battle at the Krisdera Stadium, Omoku.

It's a huge game for the both teams who are in much need of a win to boost their confidence of securing the sole promotion ticket of NNL Group B1.

NFF retires MFM vs 3SC referee Alaba

THE Referees Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has retired referee, Abiodun Alaba of Ogun state with immediate effect.

3SC vs Ifeanyi Ubah: Ezenwa targets another clean sheet

SUPER Eagles goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa is looking forward to another clean sheet when FC Ifeanyi Ubah visits 
3SC in the  Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 24 at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Sunday.

Olympics: Iheanacho, Ighalo, Iwobi in Nigeria provisional squad

NIGERIA'S Under-23 team head coach, Samson Siasia has named attacking trio of Kelechi Iheanacho of Manchester City, Odion Ighalo of Watford, Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi and 32 others in his provisional squad for the Pre-Olympic training tour in the United States of America.

The final list of 18 will be drawn from the 35-man squad before the team head off on their trip to Brazil.

Lobi defender Kwambe undergoes successful surgery

LOBI Stars and Nigeria International, Solomon Kwambe  is out of the theatre after a successful operation at Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports.

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Enyimba's opponent, ES Setif thrown out

ENYIMBA'S group opponent in the 2016 CAF Champions League, ES Setif of Algeria have been thrown out of the group stage of the competition.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) disqualified the Algerian club side following the team's supporters' encroachment on the pitch during last weekend's CAF Champions League game with Sundowns of South Africa.

I’ll be a world boxing champion soon - Aliu

WITH two Technical Knock Outs, (TKO) in two professional boxing bouts, one of Nigeria’s emerging Bantamweight boxer, Lasisi  Aliu is upbeat of becoming a world champion in his weight category.

Nigeria to host World Rugby certified Referee Training Course

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) under the leadership of Sir Edward Fom Pam, will stage the first ever certified referee training course in Nigeria.

At the completion of the course, participant will be issued a World Rugby Referee Level 1 certificates. 

Beating Rivers Angels will be turning point, Confluence coach assures

CONFLUENCE Queens head coach, Shola Adewuyi has predicted that his team will come good despite their patchy run of results in recent times.

The Lokoja based outfit have slumped to 6th in the Group B of the Nigeria Women Premier League table after picking just one point in their last two matches against FC Robo and Delta Queens.

Gata happy to open goal account for Ifeanyi Ubah

.Targets brace against 3SC

IFEANYI Ubah striker, Ismail Gata says he knew he would start scoring for his new club sooner rather than later after hitting the target in a 2-0 victory over Rivers United in the Nigeria Professional Football League Match Day 23 encounter at the Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium, Nnewi on Sunday.

Ifeanyi Ubah, Pillars, Wikki bid to sign Yobo

NIGERIA Professional Football League outfits, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Kano Pillars, Wikki Tourists and Akwa United are bidding to sign former Super Eagles defender, Joseph Yobo, sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports.

Hoopers beat Gombe Bulls 51-45 in play-offs opener

RIVERS Hoopers got off their 2015/2016 Dstv basketball League final 8 play-offs with a 51-45 win over Gombe Bulls at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium Lagos on Monday.

Ugboaja Foundation gives 36 basketball players U.S scholarship

A total of 36 young basketball players have been selected for scholarships to further their education in the United States after being discovered at the just concluded Ejike Ugboaja Foundation's basketball camp.

CMB South-West League: Cowrie retains title, Lagos RFC gains promotion

COWRIE Rugby Club became champions of the CMB Building, Maintenance & Investment Ltd sponsored South West League for the fifth time as they ground out victory under a perfect weather against a spirited Racing Rugby Club in an electrifying final league match on Saturday at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos.

CANA TOURNEY: Nigerian swimmers show class in Senegal

NIGERIAN swimmers placed third with 35 medals at the just concluded African Swimming Confederation (CANA) Zone Two swimming championship, held in Senegal.

Senegal, the host county placed first followed by Mali, Nigeria, Cote d'ivoire and Burkina Faso in that order.

NFF frees Giwa FC players for other clubs

THE Nigeria Football Federation has given provisional clearance to all players of erstwhile NPFL club, Giwa FC of Jos to join other clubs.

FRIDAU PRAYER: Dalung, Pinnick, others extol late Amodu’s virtues

LATE Super Eagles coach, Shuaibu Amodu has been described as a humble, kind hearted person who placed national interest over and above his personal interest.

The Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung made the description at the eight-day fidau prayer in honour of late Amodu held at the deceased’s residence at 41b, Adegoke Street, off Alhaji Masha Street, Surulere, Lagos on Saturday.

Federal govt job for late Amodu’s children

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick
with Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung
 addressing members of late Amodu's family on Saturday.

THE Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung has revealed that two out of the children of late Super Eagles coach Shuaibu Amodu will be given automatic employment by the federal government of Nigeria.

Dalung stated this at the eight-day fidau prayer in honour of late Amodu held at the deceased’s residence at 41b, Adegoke Street, off Alhaji Masha Street, Surulere, Lagos on Saturday, Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports. 

KOGI UTD 2-0 KADUNA UTD: We could have scored more, says Jatau

HEAD Coach of Kogi United, Ishaya Jatau believes his side could have scored "a few more" goals in their 2-0 victory over Kaduna United in a Week Four of the Nigeria National League, NNL encounter on Saturday.

The near perfect dominance for the Yahaya Bello Boys saw them scoring the two goals in first half in an interesting game played at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja.

Ikorodu Utd cheat death in fatal accident

PLAYERS and officials of Nigeria Professional Football League outfit, Ikorodu United escaped death by whiskers as they were involved in an auto crash on Friday evening.

The accident occurred at about 4pm along Ama Brewery Road, 9th Mile, Enugu on their way to honour Sunday’s NPFL Match Day 23 encounter against Lobi Stars in Makurdi.

D'Tigress rue 'painful' Rio Olympic miss

.Vow to bounce back stronger 

NIGERIA women’s national basketball team, D'Tigress are still ruing their inability to secure a ticket to the 2016 Olympics after they finished third in Group C of the ongoing 2016 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Nantes, France.

Melissa hits form for CBN Tennis Open

.Inches near top 1,000 in WTA rankings

REIGNING Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Open Tennis Championship Women's Singles queen, Melissa Ifidzhen looks good to defend her crown at the tournament serving off on Monday following her performance at the Sharm el Sheikh hard court event in Egypt.

LMC, NASD hold talks on listing NPFL clubs in 2nd tier Exchange

THE League Management Company (LMC) and NASD Over the Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange met in Lagos to explore strategies and means to transform Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Clubs ownership from governments to community-based and public subscription ownership.

Ezekiel tips Dream Team for Olympic glory

NIGERIAN Under-23 and Anderlecht of Belgium forward, Imoh Ezekiel is optimistic the Dream Team VI will excel at the football event of the Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.

In a chat with Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com, the former Standard Liege striker who featured in the Olympic team’s 1-1 draw against Brazil in an international friendly in March said the Coach Samson Siasia-led side are capable of going far in the tourney.

RIVERS UTD 4-0 KADUNA UTD: Okonkwo happy to banish ‘Makurdi demons’

CHINONSO Okonkwo has spoken about his happiness after scoring a spectacular goal for Rivers United in their 4-0 dismantling of Kaduna United in the round of 32 of the Federation Cup on Wednesday.

Okonkwo fired home from 25 yards as Kaduna United was put to the sword in emphatic fashion at the Aper Aku Stadium.

Go Round coach blames referee's 'blunder' for Fed Cup outster

THE coach of Go Round FC, Ngozi Elechi has blamed the center referee for their 1-0 loss to Nasarawa United in the 2016 Nigeria Federation Cup Round of 32 match played in Enugu on Wednesday.

Elechi said after the game that his players did their best but a singular blunder by the referee led to their exit from the competition.

Afolabi says Prime deserve to knock Pillars out of Fed Cup

THE coach of Prime Football Club, Shina Afolabi believes his wards gave it all and deserved to knock Kano Pillars out of the 2016 edition of the prestigious Federation Cup.

The 'Believe and Achieve' side defeated the former Nigeria Professional Football League champions 2-1 in a keenly contested Round of 32 match decided at the Lokoja Confluence Stadium on Wednesday.

Kogi Utd shift focus to NNL after Fed Cup exit

CHAIRMAN of Kogi United, Mallam Abdul Sule, says the Confluence Boys played their best match of the season but were unlucky to lose 1-2 to Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) leaders, Wikki Tourists in the 2016 Federation Cup Round of 32 encounter on Wednesday.

38TH CBN TENNIS OPEN: 200 players battle for N14.3m prize money

THE sum of N14.3 million will be won at the 38th Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Open Tennis Championship scheduled to hold from 16th -25th June, 2016 at the Tennis Court, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The annual competition is organized by the Nigeria Tennis Federation in conjunction with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Growing up in Ajegunle was tough - Ighalo reveals

WATFORD of England striker, Jude Odion Ighalo is proud to be among the stars that emerge from Ajegunle ghetto, one of the poorest and toughest neighborhoods of Lagos.

FED CUP: Enyimba, El-Kanemi tie postponed

CAF Champions League contenders, Enyimba FC, have appealed to the Nigeria Football Federation to move their Federation Cup Round of 32 clash against fellow NPFL side El-Kanemi Warriors as a result of their continental date against Zamalek of Egypt in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

The People’s Elephant, winners of Africa’s most prestigious club competition in 2003 and 2004, host the White Tribe at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium in one of the Day 1 matches of the group stage of this year’s competition.

FED CUP: Ogunye says MFM won’t joke with Katsina Utd

MOUNTAIN of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club (MFM) forward, Austine Ogunye has stated that the team will not handle the round 32 Federation Cup tie against Katsina United Football Club of Katsina with kid gloves.

The NPFL side will go head to head with Katsina United FC in one of the second round fixtures of the 2015/16 Federation Cup games coming up this Thursday at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja, Kogi State.

OLYMPICS: Iwobi will make Dream Team stronger, says Rufai

FORMER Nigeria international, Peter Rufai has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to intensify efforts at ensuring that Arsenal striker Alex Iwobi is available to play for the country’s U-23 team at the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

Having chosen to play for Nigeria rather than the English national team, Iwobi qualifies to represent the Dream Team at the Olympics this year but his Premier League club is looking to block him from taking part in the tournament in Brazil.

Kwara Utd on course for promotion, Obuh assures

THE Technical Adviser of Kwara United FC, John Sam Obuh has said that the team is on course in their journey towards returning to the Premier League, after winning all first three games in the on-going 2015/2016 Nigeria National League (NNL).

Kwara United FC on Saturday defeated Dream International FC of Makurdi at the Main-Bowl of the Kwara State Stadium.

Worlu, Chukwudi hand Go Round 2-0 win over Unicem Rovers

TWO added time goals in both halves by Stanley Worlu and Chukwudi Ekene gave Go Round FC the deserved three points against Unicem Rovers in one of the Nigeria National League encounters on Saturday.

At the end of the first half, Stanley Worlu tapped in a cross as he remained unmarked in the area.

In the 91st minute of the encounter, with all seeming like the game would end 1-0, Chukwudi Ekene Ekene scored the most fortuitous of goals, one in which he knew nothing about.

NFF owe Amodu 7 months' pay - Peterside

NIGERIA Football Federation (NFF) are owing the late coach Shuaibu Amodu seven months' salary, according to former international Idah Peterside.

South Africa-based Peterside, a pastor and who was a close friend of the late Nigeria coach, announced the former Nigeria coach told him he is being owed seven months’ pay by his employers the NFF.

KESHI, AMODU DEATHS: Club Owners call for prayers

THE Football Club Owners Association of Nigeria has called on all football stakeholders to immediately ‎commence a special fasting and prayers for the football fraternity following the death of two football icons within the space of three days.

The association said it received the sad news of the reported death of the NFF technical director, Mr Amodu Shuaibu with a rude shock and a heavy heart.

Yobo: Amodu was more than just a coach to me

FORMER Super Eagles Captain, Joseph Yobo says the death of Shuaibu Amodu is hard pill to swallow because the late national team handler meant more than just a coach to him.

The former BCC Lions, El-Kanemi Warriors, Shooting Stars and Orlando Pirates technician died in his sleep in the early hours of Saturday, after complaining of chest pains on Friday night.

Enyeama, Onazi, Ideye, Oparanozie bid farewell to late Amodu

FORMER Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama led most of the current national team players to pay tribute to late Shuaibu Amodu.

The Lille of France goalkeeper was joined by Super Eagles vice captain, Ogenyi Onazi, Olympiacos forward, Brown Ideye, Hapoel Be'er Sheva of Isreal midfielder, John Ogu, AS Monaco defender, Elderson Echiejile , FSV Mainz 05 defender, Leon Balogun and Super Falcons striker, Desire Oparanozie in mourning the departed coach who gave up the ghost in the early hours of Saturday, aged 58. 

John Ogu, wife welcome first child

.Names daughter Ivanna Adaeze

SUPER Eagles midfielder, John Ogu and his beautiful wife Chiugo Veronica Adaolisa have welcomed their first child, a girl.

The Hapoel Beer Sheva midfield maestro who made the announcement via the social media on Saturday, also revealed the name of his newly born princess as Ogu Ivanna Adaeze.

Former Nigeria boss Shuaibu Amodu dies aged 58

FORMER Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu has died at the age of 58, three days after the death of fellow ex-Super Eagles boss Stephen Keshi.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the news on Saturday, stating that Amodu died in his sleep on Friday night after having complained of chest pains.

KESHI’S DEMISE: My heart bleeds heavily, says Okocha

FORMER Nigeria international, Austin Jay Jay Okocha says he is yet to recover from shock following the death of former colleague, Stephen Keshi.

Keshi, Nigerian soccer's charismatic and outspoken "Big Boss" who won African Cup titles as both captain and coach of his country, died early Wednesday, aged 54.