Author: SportsIntel
With a decision on the Super Eagles’ World Cup case pending with FIFA, the football federation has agreed for Nigeria to play Iran and Jordan in a four-nation tournament in March. The Super Eagles will feature in a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Amman, the capital of Jordan, during next month’s FIFA Men’s International Window. The four-nation tournament will kick off with a clash between 2026 World Cup-bound Iran and tournament absentee Nigeria at the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium on Friday, 27th March 2026. The same day, the senior men’s national teams of Jordan and Costa Rica will be at each…
18-year-old shot putter, Jessica Oji, recently switched allegiance from the USA to Nigeria and, on her debut for Nigeria, set a new national U20 record at the Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson. Jessica Oji debuts under the Nigerian flag, having just recently switched allegiance from the US, landing a mark of 17.74m to finish 2nd in the women’s Shot Put at the Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson. The new convert started her series with a foul before throwing 17.74m in her third attempt. Auburn University’s Megan Hague won the women’s Shot Put Invite with a mark of 18.42m from her…
Five days after winning the race to sign Ademola Lookman, ahead of Fernabache, Atletico Madrid witnessed what fans are calling “Lookman effect”: as the club surpassed 600,000 new followers since Lookman’s arrival. On February 2nd, Atletico announced Ademola Lookman, and five days later, the effect was in full force with 600,000 new followers across their social media. The Lookman Effect: Talent Meets Strategy Lookman’s arrival coincides with Atletico Madrid’s global strategy to win new fans across new markets. Atleti received recognition as the Best Global Approach award for its internationalisation strategy at the 2025 FBIN Excellence Awards. The 2025 FBIN (Football…
Nigeria’s Davis Cup team, led by Daniel Adeleye, will battle Morocco in the Davis Cup World Group II playoffs. To get to the playoffs, Nigeria beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Lagos to qualify from the World Group III Morocco will host the tie in September 2026, as they have the choice of ground according to the ITF. Ranked 48th in the world, Morocco is Africa’s second-best team behind Egypt, while Nigeria ranks 66th, climbing 8 places. Since our first meeting in 1973, Nigeria has never defeated Morocco in the Davis Cup. Their dramatic 1-3 loss to Colombia in the World Group…
Making of Champions and MTN have signed a landmark three-year extension for MTN CHAMPS to continue sponsoring Nigeria’s premier grassroots athletics through the LA 2028 Olympic Games. The historic partnership was announced at a press conference on February 11 at the MTN Plaza, Ikoyi, Lagos. The multi-year agreement confirms that MTN CHAMPS Seasons 4, 5, and 6 are now certain through 2028. The extension will provide athletes across all age groups, from Cadet and Youth to Junior and Senior, with a structured three-year runway to support long-term preparation toward the 2028 Olympic Games, the 2026 and 2028 World U20 Championships,…
Former Plateau United defender Andrew Ikefe has completed a move to Jaish Sports Club of Iraq, signing a one-year deal ahead of the 2025/26 league season. The centre back joins the Iraqi side as part of their preparations for the new campaign, bringing with him valuable experience from both Nigerian and international football. Expectations are high for Ikefe’s arrival in Jaish SC’s defensive unit as they push for success in the upcoming season. Ikefe, a former defender for Niger Tornadoes, Katsina United, Kwara United, and Plateau United, established himself as a reliable presence at the heart of defence. Abroad, the…
Nigerian forward Joel Yakubu has joined Latvian top division club BFC Daugavpils on loan until the end of the 2025/2026 season, from Slovan Liberec. Liberec sanctioned this move to afford the youngster more playing time and development at the top level. Joel Yakubu, who celebrated his 20th birthday last week, is keen to prove himself at the highest level. Before the move, Joel had been playing in the B and U19 teams of Slovan Liberec. Joel joined Slovan Liberec in the summer of 2024, after moving to Europe from Mahanaim FC in Nigeria. Since completing his move, Yakubu has made…
With a game to spare, the Nigerian Davis Cup tennis team, led by number one-seeded player Daniel Adeleye, defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 to secure promotion to World Group II for the first time in about three decades at the historic Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, 1895. Nigeria sealed the tie with a match to spare, confirming promotion with Adeleye’s decisive point on Sunday for a composed 6–3, 6–4 victory over Ilya Ignatov in the reverse singles, giving the hosts an unassailable 3–1 lead. Saturday’s opening singles ended 1–1, as Nigeria clawed back from an opening defeat through Daniel Adeleye. Khumoyun Sultanov of…
A goal in the 37th minute ensured Super Eagles striker, Ademola Lookman score a fourth career debut goal on his Atletico Madrid debut, helping his team win 5-0 in their Copa del Rey quarter-final clash against Real Betis at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville. Atletico Madrid were already leading 2-0 when Lookman added a third just before half-time, completing the rapid counter-attack led by Pablo Barrios. He still had work to do, receiving the ball in the box, beating two Betis players, and cutting inside to create the space for the finish. Lookman Scores Fourth Career Debut Goal The goal…
For as long as Sir Alex Ferguson sat in the Old Trafford dugout, one phrase followed Manchester United like a shadow: “Fergie Time.” To United fans, it became a badge of pride, proof that their team never knew when it was beaten. To rivals, it often sounded like an accusation, a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that referees secretly bent the clock in United’s favour. But reducing “Fergie Time” to a joke misses the real story. Behind the chants and conspiracy theories lay something far more deliberate: a clear managerial philosophy that treated the final minutes of a match not as a countdown…