Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie continues to earn recognition for her outstanding performances after being nominated for the Women’s Super League (WSL) Save of the Month award for November, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Super Falcons' shot-stopper, recently crowned CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for the third consecutive time, has now received back-to-back nominations, following her previous shortlist in October.

Nnadozie’s nominated save came in Brighton & Hove Albion’s clash against Liverpool, where she brilliantly tipped Fuka Nagano’s long-range effort onto the crossbar in the 1–1 draw at St. Helens Stadium.

She will compete for the November award against Liverpool’s Faye Kirby for her double save against Brighton, Aston Villa’s Sabrina D’Angelo for her stop against Leicester City, and Manchester City’s Ayaka Yamashita for her superb save from a header against Everton.

Uche Dozie

Nigeria Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi was on sung for his club, Fulham FC following their win over league leaders Liverpool in the English Premier League on Sunday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Iwobi scored and assisted a goal to help Fulham earn a 3-2 impressive home league victory over Liverpool at the Craven Cottage.

Alexis Mac Allister opened the score in the 14th minute before Ryan Sessegnon restored parity in the 22nd minute of the game.

Alex Iwobi put Fulham in front 10 minutes later before assisting Rodrigo Muniz who doubled the lead on 37 minutes to give the hosts a big lead at half time.

The Cottages had to defend well in the second half to stop Liverpool's onslaught, but in the 72nd minute, the pressure paid off as the Reds pulled one goal back through Luis Diaz.

Nevertheless, Fulham stayed strong to get all points at home, stopping Liverpool from extending their lead at the top of the log.

Uche Dozie

Former Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr, now in charge of Benin's Cheetahs, has identified complacency as the key factor behind the Super Eagles' shock defeat to Rwanda in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Rwanda secured a stunning 1-1 draw-turned-win against the three-time African champions at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Monday.

Despite Nigeria having already secured qualification for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, Rohr believes his former team's mental approach proved costly.

"Against Nigeria, we [Rwanda] were pegged back by Osimhen a few minutes before the end," Rohr told Fraternit.

"I know this team well from having coached them. They sometimes tend to take their foot off the gas when they think they have qualified.

"This complacency can give their opponents the opportunity to spring a surprise, as was the case with Rwanda."

By Olujimi Dare Ogun

The Oluyole Warriors strengthened their squad with the experience defender who knows his onions when it comes to the NPFL.

Odeh signs on a free transfer after his contract ran out at former club Heartland FC as the club is expected to announce his acquisition soon.

The Former Calabar Rovers centre back had played for Dakkada FC and Wikki Tourist before now.

3SC will resume hostilities for the second stanza of the league as they travel to Uyo for a clash of the Titans with Akwa United on Sunday.

Uche Dozie

Heartland FC of Owerri  has unveiled the new additions to their squad ahead of the commencement of the NNL season this Wednesday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Maze Millionaires did the unveiling in a colourful ceremony at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.

The new additions are as follow:

Goalkeepers

Chisom Chiagha (Nnewi United)

Bright John Chimezie

(Dakada)

Edwin Nwakanma

(Rovers of Calabar)

Defenders

Chukwujekwu Onuoha (Nnewi United)

Ikechukwu Udeozor

(Nnewi United)

Afolayan Peters

(Dino Sporting Club)

Midfielders

Jeremiah Ndukwe (Solo FC)

Anthony Okemiri

(Abia Warriors)

Chukwuma Nwankwo

(First Bank)

Eze Daniel

(Amanda FC)

Gideon Julius

(Akwa United)

Wohuruche Victor

(Go round)

Fabian Omaka

(Enyimba)

Strikers

Arum Chukwuebuka

(Amanda FC)

Franklin Oyewole

(Sunshine Stars)

Onyekachi Okafor

(Alisman Oman)

Chibuzor Ekeocha

(Heartland Comets).

The ceremony had in attendance the commissioner for Sports in Imo State, the club's General Manager, Mr. Promise Nwachukwu amongst other dignitaries.

Hon Emeka Okoronkwo assured the players of Governments commitment and urged them to bring thier A game to enable the club achieve her goals .

"The government has told me to inform you that you are going to get all the necessary support incentive and encouragement to ensure that Heartland our darling club leave the lower league .His excellency was not happy that Heartland went down but the club must show thier remorse for the demotion with a quick return to the Premier league.

The ceremony also witnessed the announcement of Nnaemeka Anyanwu as the captain of the side.

Heartland's NNL season begins with an away trip to the Umuahia Township Stadium as the play Abia Comet on Wednesday.

Uche Dozie

Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL side, Gombe United's star man this season, Taiye Yusuf has revealed his desire to emerge the highest goal scorer at the end of the 2022/2023 season, Nigeriasoccernet.com has gathered.

Yusuf who has three goals to his name after six games his the top scorer of the Savannah Scorpions thus far.

“I am so happy to have scored three goals in the NPFL so far this season which is my first”, Taiye said to www.owosports.com.ng.

When asked on what his target for the season are, He said. “I want to end up as the top scorer and the league best player. I know it won’t be easy to achieve this because there players from other clubs who are also have such goal in mind but I will work hard and with the help of God I will achieve this”. He concluded.

The goal poacher joined the Gombe base team from Crown FC of Ogbomoso in the NNL after scoring seven goals and six assists.

Yusuf however have to contend with Osarenkhoe Imade of Bendel Insurance and Chukwuemeka Obioma of Enyimba who both have four goals to the account.

By Uche Dozie

The Nigeria National League has invited twelve teams expected to ply their trade in the Most Important domestic league in the country, to an induction programme, a necessary precursor to the 2022/2023 new season.

Invited are two of the country's frontline clubs, Kano Pillars and Heartland of Owerri, Katsina  United and Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) ,who lost their status in the Nigeria Professional football league last season, lead the pack .

Others are the eight promoted teams from the Nationwide League One (NLO), two Lagos based sides Smart FC and Madiba FC .

Two from the Federal capital territory (FCT), Abuja: Hypebuzz FC and Mailantarki Care FC.

Anambra,Akwa-Ibom ,Gombe,and Ogun states have one club each namely : Aspire FC,FC One Rocket Police Barretta and FC Ebedei Ikenne.

The NNL scheduled the integration course to hold Tuesday 20th, December 2022 in Abuja.

Head of Operations,Nigeria National League,Mr Emmanuel Adesanyà said the new clubs must see the program as important and that attendance is compulsory.

"Clubs should not shy away from the induction training,it is the beginning of participating in the league ,as it affords us the chance to spell the basic professional rules as enshrined,especially for the eight teams coming from the NLO"

"NNL is a professional league and the right orientation must be given to clubs otherwise they will get many things wrong"

"For the four teams coming from the NPFL ,they may have experienced management team,ours is to lay it bare concerning how not to be unprofessional"

"The interactions and teachings on club licensing,media and others are germain ingredients towards the organization of a successful league, Mr.Adesanya told NNL media.

Credit: NNL Media

Super Falcons defender Christy Ucheibe and her Benfica side were two nil winners against Lank Vilaverdense in the Portuguese LigaBP at the Estadio Municipal Jose Martins, gathered Nigeriasoccernet.com.

Christy Ucheibe kept a clean sheet in defence as SL Benfica earn a home league win.

Valerie Cantuario who emerged the MVP of the game scored the first goal in the 7th minute and thereafter assisted Kika Nazareth's goal in the 83rd minute.

The win which is their fourth in four matches keeps SL Benfica second with twelve points same as Sporting Lisbon who have superior goals.

Benfica was returning from  a champions league heavy defeat to Asisat Oshoala's Barcelona last week.

Ucheibe will seek to get their campaign of the Women's Champions League started properly when they play Bayern Munich Women on Thursday.

During 77th Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Lagos, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday approved the replay of the quarterfinals of the Aiteo Cup, as well as stating that Heartland FC have already qualified for the semifinal after beating Katsina United in the quarterfinal on penalties.

"After listening to the presentation of the 2nd Vice President/Chairman, LMC on the challenges that beleaguered this year’s AITEO Cup competition, the Board adopted resolutions reached at the meeting of the NFF with the owners of Clubs that reached the men’s quarter-finals that the competition reboot at that stage and the Clubs be refunded their expenses for travelling for last-eight matches that did not take place.

However, Heartland FC, who defeated Katsina FC in their quarter-final game in Ilorin, are already through to the semi-finals.

It was agreed that the competition (men’s version) restarts after the NFF Annual General Assembly of Thursday, 18th August 2022, with the key objective of providing considerable mileage for sponsors, AITEO."

Ahead of the 2022/2023 season Rangers International of Enugu have set up a nine-man committee to oversee their transfer deals.

This to enable the club recruit players that will challenge for the NPFL title next season.

Coincidentally, the same committee was set up in the 2021/2022 season for the same purpose.

It is headed by Christian Chukwu MON and has head coach Abdu Maikaba in the committee.

The seven times champions of the league finished two points away from the top four and will be seeking to make things better in the new season.

Ghanaian women football giant, Ampem Darkoa Football Club have announced the acquisition of Sunshine Queens and Rivers Angels players.

The club in a tweet on Wednesday welcomed Sunshine Queens's player, Ginika Nkeoma Ikeh as their new player ahead of the Total Energies CAFWCL Qualifiers for WAFU B Zone holding in Cote 'd' Ivoire.

https://twitter.com/ampem_fc/status/1559819769750118401?t=AbMPEO-L3LAU6uF5VNL1jg&s=19.

The three times national champions also made known that Helen Ogah Oluchi has joined them from 2021 NWFL champions, Rivers Angels.

https://twitter.com/ampem_fc/status/1559825839897956353?t=2PxVCLaCFJBfSbB_Tl7lMw&s=19

Ampem Darkoa Ladies are in group B with NWFL Premiership Champions, Bayelsa Queens, USFA ( Burkina Faso)

Athleta FC (Togo) of the WAFU 'B' Zone Qualifiers for a place in the 2022 CAF Women Champions League.

Heartland FC of Owerri on Thursday morning defeated Katsina United 4-1 on penalties after a 0-0 regulation time.

Recall that other six clubs in the quarterfinal stage of 2022 Aiteo Cup have boycotted the games following Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) decision to send Kwara United to CAF as second representative in 2022/23 Confederation Cup

without informing the participating teams. Ordinarily, Champions of Aiteo Federation Cup are supposed to play at the CAF Club competitions.

While other three matches were abandoned, Katsina United and Heartland FC played their quarterfinal tie at the Ilorin Township Stadium where Heartland FC won on penalties.

It is not clear yet the decision of the NFF on the quarterfinal victory whether it would be considered as final as other clubs failed to honour their matches or Heartland FC progress to semifinal without opponents. This year Federation Cup winners are just playing to keep fit as there wont be any Continental ticket even as Champions.

Ironically, both Heartland FC and Katsina United are relegated to Nigeria second-tier league from the NPFL

Heartland goal keeper, Godwin Paul, made the difference for the Naze Millionaires saving her blushes to send the team through to the quarter finals at the expense of Dakkada FC.

After a barren first half with chances far in between. Coach Erasmus introduced Nonso Nzediegwu and Alfred Alexander .

Nonso's impact was instant giving his opposite number a run for his money, his cut back in the 59th minute presented a glorious opportunity for Ojonugwa who fluffed his lines.

The combination of Chukwujike Jacob Chibuike Nwaiwu and Nonso Nzediegwu finally paid off in the 89th minute when Chibuike powered home an unstoppable header for the curtain raiser. Heartland unfortunately caved in and conceded a penalty in the dying moments and were duly punished by Aniekan Ekpe who converted from the spot to send the game to the lottery of penalties.

Once beaten, they say twice shy. Godwin Paul who had kept Heartland in the game with some smart reflexes became the hero yet again, saving Aniekan Ekpe 's penalty to book a quarter final ticket for the Naze Millionaires .

Reacting after the game Heartland's Technical Adviser, Erasmus Onuh admitted that it was a difficult game for his side but promised a better outing in the quarter finals

"Actually, we were not at our best. The best that God has given us, we have used it, we are going back to re-strategize and I promise that we will move forward "

Heartland will battle Katsina United for a semi final berth at Illorin Kwara State on Wednesday 10th August 2022.

Heartland FC of Owerri and Kano Pillars have contacted newly promoted Doma United for the sale of their Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) slot.

Kano Pillars were condenmed to relegation to the Nigeria second-tier league (NNL) on Saturday after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Appeal Committee upheld the decision of the Disciplinary Committee who deducted three points from accumulated 45 points for violation of League rules in their home match against Dakkada FC.

Heartland FC on the other hand were confirmed relegated from the NPFL with two matches to the end of the 2021/22 season.

However, this newspaper gathered that both teams want to maintain their NPFL status next season and commenced negotiation with Doma United to achieve their aim.

Meanwhile, the CEO of Doma United has assured fans and the entire people of Gombe State that the newly promoted club will participate in next season's NPFL contrary to some reports in some media outlets.

"Let me be clear about this and assure the good supporters of Doma United Football Club that Doma United is not going to sell its NPFL ticket and we're ready to play in the elite league. We didn't come this far to stop, we will play in the elite league. People should debunk any other report that is saying a different thing because we don't know where they're emanating from. We're a professional club, so we'll play in the league. The CEO insisted.

"This has put to sleep some rumors that Doma United will relinquish its NPFL status to the recently relegated Kano Pillars." He concluded.

However, there are indication that he may listen to the highest bidder in the days to come.

Doma FC spent one season in the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO) and picked the NPFL ticket at its first attempt in the ongoing 2021/22 Nigeria National League (NNL)

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has reassured that professionalism in Nigerian football development being promoted by the ongoing reforms of the nation’s football will make Nigerian Leagues better and put it at par with others around the world.

The Minister says his desire to see the Nigerian Leagues grow beyond the current state with rapid transformation through proper licensing, and financial control is unwavering.

Mr. Sunday Dare expalins that the step is critical for building stakeholder confidence following the reclassification of sports from  recreation to business as part of President Buhari’s commitment to make sports business.

He adds that other necessary steps involve running the leagues as businesses and not as recreation . According to Dare “we have a clear plan and vision. We are dogged in working to fulfil them leveraging on public and private financing to achieve our goal. We are committed to make changes that would position our league for the best.”

The Minister had said that the league would not resume until basic conditions on club licensing control are enforced.

“As a Ministry, infrastructure renewal is our ultimate goal to ensure television friendly output that will encourage investors to put their money in a product that is quite attractive, this boils down to professionalism of all stakeholders, administrators, coaches, players, and fans of round leather game,” the Sports Minister remarked.

“This is the only way we can attract sponsors and fans returning in large crowds to the stadium. when all facilities are put in better shape ahead of the new season. We are looking licensing, players salaries and medical insurance, incentives, among others when the season commences.”

The Minister expresses confidence that Nigeria will get it right and return to apex position in African football.

New Heartland coach Ramson Madu has said he believes God will ensure the Owerri club are not relegated this season.

‘The Nzae Millionaires’ are second from bottom on the table with 25 points from 28 matches, seven points behind nearest rivals Warri Wolves.

In his first game in charge at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Saturday, Heartland defeated visiting Nasarawa United 1-0 and the former defender said the victory was a good omen on his rescue mission at the club.

“The only reason Heartland will escape relegation is God. I’m telling you, the hand of God is on this team and that is why we’ll not be relegated,” Madu said.

“But as human beings, we must do our best to see that we don’t go down.”

Madu regretted that with only about eight games left to end the season, there would be no opportunity to tinker the team, but said he would have to work on the mistakes detected in the team from the matches they are playing.

“I have seen the areas I will go back and correct. We’ll work on their tactics, we’ll work on their technique and then we’ll work on their psychology,” he said.

“If we can get our own acts right, surely, God can do the rest for us.”

The coach is back at Heartland for the second time in four years.

Alex Iwobi has been named in Nigeria’s provisional squad for the Rio Olympics. The Nigerian Football Federation have listed the Arsenal winger in a 35 man panel, which will be whittled down before the games begin.

We can’t find the information as to the final squad numbers, but for the London Olympics in 2012, each nation used an 18 man squad.

Nigeria are in a group with Colombia, Japan and Sweden, and Iwobi will go if selected with Arsene Wenger not inclined to get in his way.

“We have to respect his choice,” he said after the talented 19 year old declared for Nigeria rather than England.

“We have to respect the possibility that he will go to the Olympic Games, that he will also go to the Africa Cup of Nations and travel a bit more than he would have done here.”

So, we’ll wait and see if he’s selected for the final squad, and start worrying about it then.

The football tournament at the Olympics starts on August 4th with the gold medal game taking place on August 20th.

The new Premier League season kicks off on August 13th.

Just as Nigerians were trying to put behind them the rude shock of the death of former Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi, the football world woke up last Saturday morning to the news that four-time national team coach Shuaibu Amodu was dead, three days after the death of Keshi. But must the Nigeria Football Federation wait until their death to honour them?

When the immediate past Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh announced his resignation, citing contract violations, lack of support and unpaid wages, as reason for leaving many were quick to discard his claims, saying that even while he was a player, his coaches were owed and "why does he think things would change in his time."

But the death of Shuaibu Amodu has lent credence to the fact that NFF is not living up to its responsibilities. Probably, if his salaries were paid as and when due, he might be alive today.

As the federation's technical director, Amodu was reportedly on N800, 000 per month but without an office and official accommodation.

According to his brother, Akuri Afegbua, the former Eagles coach died after complaints of chest pain and his inability to get the money NFF owed him, adding that his financial status had made it difficult for him to take care of himself and his immediate family.

"I think he died of frustration due to his financial status. He was not paid. He was complaining of not being paid and had no money to maintain himself and his immediate family," the cousin said.

NFF general secretary Muhammed Sanusi said the football authority would forever be grateful to Amodu for his amazing service to Nigerian and African football.

"He lived for his family and football, Amodu gave his heart and soul to Nigerian football and we can never thank him enough," Sanusi told BBC Sport.

The late NFF technical director first took charge of Nigeria at the age of 36, coached the Super Eagles on four different occasions.

He helped the country to qualify for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea and led them to a third-place finish in the 2002 Nations Cup.

Under his stewardship, Nigeria qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but Amodu was sacked despite the team's third-place finish at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

New FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has told the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Amaju Pinnick, about his intention to visit the country very soon.

Infantino held talks with Pinnick at the ongoing FIFA congress in Mexico on Friday.

The Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, disclosed this during a television programme on Friday.

Dikko said the FIFA supremo is happy with the development of soccer in Nigeria and most especially the partnership with La Liga.

“I want to let Nigerians know that the NFF president had a chat with Infantino during the ongoing FIFA Congress in Mexico and he praised the development of football in Nigeria and also commended the federation for attracting the La Liga to partner with our league,” Goal quoted the LMC chairman as saying during the TV programme.

“The FIFA president immediately told the NFF boss that he would like to come to Nigeria so that he can also see areas in which he could be of assistance to Nigerian football. He said he would come very soon.”