Sports

FIFA says it has yet to decide on the next steps regarding the Nigeria Football Federation following the resignation of its president, Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and other Executive Committee members. FIFA and the Confederation of African Football are currently assessing the legal, administrative, governance and electoral implications of the crisis. The planned September 27 NFF election has been suspended while the assessment continues. FIFA and CAF are also planning to visit Abuja to meet with NFF officials, Congress members, electoral bodies and the National Sports Commission before deciding on the way forward.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was hopeful of returning to action for Galatasaray’s UEFA Champions League clash against Sporting Lisbon next week after suffering a groin injury in the club’s 3–2 victory over Istanbul Başakşehir on Friday. The Nigerian forward was substituted in the 33rd minute after feeling discomfort but remained optimistic about featuring against the Portuguese side if Galatasaray’s medical and coaching staff cleared him to play. Osimhen had earlier opened the scoring with a fine finish after being set up by Lucas Torreira before he was forced off. Galatasaray later confirmed that he had suffered strain and pain in his right adductor muscle and had commenced treatment. The Turkish champions said Osimhen and teammate Mario Lemina were undergoing further medical examinations, including MRI scans, with the assessments expected to be completed on Sunday. Osimhen’s availability would be a major boost for Galatasaray as they prepare for their Champions League encounter. His fitness would also be monitored by Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan had urged promoters of the proposed Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury heavyweight bout to stage the highly anticipated fight at Wembley Stadium. Khan had said London had a strong history of hosting major heavyweight boxing events involving both fighters and appealed to promoters to consider the fans who had supported Joshua and Fury over the years. However, Tyson Fury had later confirmed that the fight would take place at Madison Square Garden in New York, ending speculation over the venue. The bout was expected to hold in November, with November 20 reportedly being the target date. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, had maintained that his camp preferred the fight to be held in the United Kingdom, citing concerns over taxation in the United States.

The National Sports Commission has reportedly become divided over the choice of chairman for a proposed Normalisation Committee following the resignation of Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau and other board members. The NFF leadership stepped down amid growing pressure over the management of Nigerian football, including concerns surrounding the use of funds and the poor performances of the country’s national teams. NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, also confirmed his resignation on Thursday, saying reports of his exit alongside Gusau were true. The leadership crisis has created the need for a Normalisation Committee to oversee the affairs of the federation and organise fresh elections. However, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director-General Bukola Olopade were reportedly divided over who should lead the committee. Sources said Dikko was backing former NFF technical committee chairman Musa Ahmadu, while Olopade preferred former NFF president Amaju Pinnick. The disagreement was said to have stalled decisions and raised concerns among football stakeholders, with fears that prolonged administrative disputes could affect players, sponsors and Nigeria’s relationship with FIFA. The proposed Normalisation Committee is expected to oversee the NFF for about three months, with its major responsibility being to conduct fresh elections for a new executive board. The development could affect the NFF election earlier scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The crisis also followed investigations into the NFF’s management of the N17bn Federal Government intervention fund released to the federation for players’ wages and bonuses.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has warned Nigerian athletes and their families against signing scholarship agreements with agents or agencies without fully understanding the terms. AFN President Tonobok Okowa said the federation was monitoring such agreements and would intervene when deals were considered harmful to athletes’ education, careers or Nigeria’s interests. The warning followed allegations that an agency had been offering athletes scholarship deals containing risky clauses, including five-year agreements and a 25 per cent commission on earnings secured through the agency. Okowa clarified that the AFN had not authorised any agent or agency to provide scholarships to Nigerian athletes. He urged athletes and their families to seek proper legal advice before signing any agreement. He also stressed that minors should not enter such deals without the knowledge and consent of their parents or legal guardians. The federation said it had previously advised an athlete to terminate an agreement involving an agent and a school after determining that it was not in the athlete’s best interest. Okowa assured athletes that the AFN would continue to protect their welfare and ensure that scholarship opportunities contributed positively to their education, careers and development.

Former Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld has urged the club to beat Arsenal to the signing of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. Alderweireld said Tottenham needed a proven goalscorer after lacking goals last season, describing the Galatasaray forward as an ideal addition to manager Roberto De Zerbi’s attack. Tottenham had already spent heavily on new players this summer but were still looking to strengthen their forward line before the transfer window closed. Alderweireld also stressed the importance of having experienced players alongside younger talents. However, a move for Osimhen was expected to be difficult, with Arsenal also reportedly interested in the Nigerian striker.

The Super Falcons of Nigeria and South Africa’s Banyana Banyana will face off on Thursday in a crucial play-off as both teams battle to keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup alive. The two African giants were forced into the play-off after suffering quarter-final defeats at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria, who have won the continental title 10 times, lost 1-0 to Cameroon, while defending champions South Africa were beaten by hosts Morocco. The quarter-final defeats denied both teams automatic qualification for the World Cup, leaving them to compete for one of two available CAF places in the intercontinental play-offs, which will be held in two phases between November and February. Nigeria have historically dominated the rivalry, recording 15 victories in more than 23 meetings across friendlies, WAFCON matches and Olympic and World Cup qualifiers. However, South Africa have closed the gap in recent years. Banyana defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the group stage of the 2022 WAFCON before going on to win their first continental title. Nigeria later got the better of South Africa in a two-legged Olympic qualifying play-off to secure a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu admitted that the defeat to Cameroon highlighted the need for Nigeria to keep improving, insisting that the team would not take its traditional dominance for granted. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade also urged her teammates to put the disappointment of the quarter-final defeat behind them and focus on securing victory against South Africa. She said the team must use the setback as motivation and show its character in the face of adversity. Striker Uchenna Kanu revealed that the Cameroon defeat had deeply affected the players, with some struggling to eat after the loss. However, she said the squad had quickly shifted its focus towards the decisive encounter with South Africa. The winner of Thursday’s fixture will advance to the FIFA Intercontinental Play-Off Tournament, where three remaining World Cup places will be contested. The highly anticipated clash is scheduled to kick off at 9pm Nigerian time on Thursday, with both sides needing victory to keep their World Cup dreams alive.