Kelechi Abel - Football In Nigeria

CAF Appoints Cameroonian Officials for Super Eagles vs Mozambique in AFCON 2025

By Kelechi Abel / Events & Tournaments / January 4, 2026

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named an all-Cameroonian officiating team to oversee the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 clash between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Mozambique’s Mambas at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Morocco on Monday. Abdou Abdel Mefire will serve as the centre referee for the knockout […]

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FG Promises Football Boost, Abandoned Stadia Revisited in 2026

By Kelechi Abel / Governance / January 4, 2026

The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged to prioritise football development and address the issue of abandoned sports infrastructure across the country in 2026, according to Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Basiru, while in Morocco as part of a high-level delegation supporting the Super Eagles at AFCON 2025,

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Aina Returns as Nottingham Forest Fall 3–1 to Aston Villa

By Kelechi Abel / Events & Tournaments / January 4, 2026

Super Eagles defender Ola Aina made his long-awaited comeback for Nottingham Forest, but the Tricky Trees suffered a 3–1 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday. Aina, 29, started for Forest his first appearance since sustaining a hamstring injury in September 2025 on international duty with Nigeria and played 69 minutes

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Beyond Limits Open Second Stanza With Convincing Win Over Sunshine Stars

By Kelechi Abel / Local Clubs and Academies / January 4, 2026

Beyond Limits began the second stanza of the Nigeria National League (NNL) with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Sunshine Stars, maintaining strong momentum as the season resumes. The win saw Beyond Limits, a young and ambitious side based in Ikenne, continue their push in Conference A after a solid first half of the campaign. Sunshine

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Arokodare in Action as Wolves Secure First Premier League Win of the Season

By Kelechi Abel / Match Previews & Reviews / January 4, 2026

Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare featured as Wolverhampton Wanderers recorded their first Premier League win of the 2025-26 season, breezing past West Ham United 3–0 at Molineux Stadium on Saturday. The Nigerian forward making his 15th appearance for Wolves started the match and was substituted in the 88th minute after an impressive showing, having scored

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Akanji Seun Scores as Sporting Lagos Win Away to Stay Conference B Top

By Kelechi Abel / Local Clubs and Academies / January 4, 2026

Sporting Lagos strengthened their position at the top of Conference B in the 2025/26 Nigeria National League (NNL) after an impressive 2–0 away victory over Godswill Akpabio FC in Calabar to start the New Year on a high note. The win was highlighted by a goal from Akanji Seun, who found the back of the

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Onuachu: Super Eagles Must Take AFCON 2025 “One Game at a Time”

By Kelechi Abel / Interviews / January 4, 2026

Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu has emphasised that Nigeria’s squad is focused on approaching the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco one match at a time, despite strong performances in the tournament’s early stages. Speaking ahead of Nigeria’s Group C clash with Tunisia, Onuachu acknowledged the team’s ambition but stressed patience and focus. “We

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Valencia Coach Declines to Comment on Sadiq Umar Transfer Interest

By Kelechi Abel / Tactics & Analysis / January 4, 2026

Valencia head coach Carlos Corberán has refused to discuss rumours linking Super Eagles striker Umar Sadiq with a potential move to the Spanish La Liga club during the current transfer window. Corberán stopped short of confirming whether the club remains interested in signing the Real Sociedad forward, saying he does not speak publicly about players

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Echeta Aims for 50 Goals in 2026, Backs Super Eagles for AFCON Success

By Kelechi Abel / Interviews / January 3, 2026

Nigerian winger Deputy Echeta has set himself a lofty target of scoring over 50 goals in 2026, while also expressing strong confidence that the Super Eagles can go on to lift the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Echeta discussed his ambitions in an interview after helping Zakho SC draw 1–1 with Al Karkh

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Malik Owolabi-Belewu Joins Chesterfield FC in English League Two Move

By Kelechi Abel / Merch & Branding / January 3, 2026

Young Nigerian centre-back Malik Owolabi-Belewu has completed a transfer to Chesterfield FC, marking his first foray into English professional football with the League Two club. Owolabi-Belewu, 23, arrived at Chesterfield as the club’s first signing of 2026, following the expiration of his contract with Canadian Premier League side Forge FC. The left-footed defender is known

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