Sports

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Spain’s national team secured their fourth European championship title by defeating England 2-1 in Berlin, Germany. 

Mikel Oyarzabal’s late goal in the 86th minute proved to be the winner, after Nico Williams and Cole Palmer had earlier traded goals for Spain and England, respectively. 

Spain’s defense held strong to deny England an equalizer, with Dani Olmo’s crucial intervention thwarting Marc Guehi’s last-gasp effort.

The victory marks Spain’s fourth Euro title, cementing their status as one of the continent’s top teams.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former Super Eagles coach Finidi George will return to the NPFL with Rivers United.

Reports say Finidi met with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Tuesday to discuss his impending appointment, and he will shortly be presented as the head coach of the Port Harcourt outfit.

Long-serving coach Stanley Eguma was fired during the past season, and Evans Ogenyi led the team for the remainder of the campaign.

Former Ajax winger Finidi led Enyimba to win the NPFL championship the previous season before he was appointed Super Eagles coach in May.

He quit his Super Eagles post after the NFF appointed a foreign coach to be his boss following a 1-1 home draw with South Africa and a shock loss to Benin in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Cameroon international Landry Nguemo has died in a tragic traffic accident, the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) announced on Thursday.

The 38-year-old midfielder, who played for the Indomitable Lions between 2006 and 2014, lost his life in the accident. 

Nguemo had a distinguished club career in France, playing for AS Nancy-Lorraine, Bordeaux, and Saint-Etienne.

He won the French League Cup with Nancy in 2006 and the French Cup with Bordeaux in 2013. 

The football community is mourning the loss of Nguemo, who returned to Nancy as a coach after his playing days.

He worked with the Under 16s team, sharing his expertise and experience with young players. 

He will be remembered as a talented player and dedicated coach who made a lasting impact on the sport.

By Jamilu Uba Adamu

It’s impossible to start this column without some reflection, especially with my interest in Kano football history.

After holding its AGM meeting last week, the Kano State Football Association (KSFA) organised an award night to honour the achievement of some truly deserving individuals. 

For some reason, I have not been able to attend the event, but from the videos and the pictures I saw, the award night was a resounding success and full of important guests. 

The venue was beautifully decorated, and a giant screen was mounted on the stage with a background picture of each recipient of the award playing, just like we usually see at international events. 

It was top-notch, from the meeting to the plaque award presentation to the awardees. The awards themselves were a fitting tribute to the outstanding contributions of the honorees. 

It was a night to remember, and the Kano State Football Association, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Sharu Rabiu Inuwa Ahlan, has set a high standard. It deserves a standing ovation for organising an outstanding event. The efforts have made a significant impact.

Aside from all that, after going through the list of the award categories that include NLO Kano State Football Association Best Player, NPFL Best Player and SWAN Kano Chapter Award, a reflection that comes to my mind, especially considering my interest in the history aspect of sports, I observed that there is no inclusion of posthumous award category among the list. 

This means that as laudable as the award event is, there is no recognition for a posthumous award to those who deserved to be honoured for planting the seeds of the game of football in Kano long ago. It continues growing as we have it today. 

Those individuals are worth mentioning for special recognition for their contributions to nurturing the game and setting the pace we are following today. 

On such award occasions, the KSFA ought to create a posthumous award category for people like the Late Muhammadu Ɗanwawu Fagge, the man who led the legendary Kano XI to win the 1953 Challenge Cup and the sponsor of the defunct Ɗanwawu cup.

Pioneer Kano Pillars FC Chairman late Alh Isiyaku Muhammad (whom his blossom friend, Alh. Isiyaku Umar Tofa, on so many occasions, used to say it was him that convinced him to be sponsoring the Tofa Cup back then). 

Also, former Kano Pillars FC Chairman’s Late Alhaji Hassan Na-Abba, late ACP Sabo Abdullahi, Late Hon. Ɗanlami Hamza, Late Sani Muhammed Usman, and late Alh Kabiru Waya or even the famous legendary Kano XI squad, that consists of the Late Sidi Coach, Maxwell, and Okoh brothers, that won the first Kano state football trophy in far away Lagos in 1953, the list goes on.

Each of those mentioned above-listed individuals deserves to be posthumously awarded. I am sure honouring them this way can be an opportunity to celebrate a legacy, inspire others, and preserve history because omitting posthumous recognition can lead to forgotten legacies and leave a legacy uncelebrated.

With this, I urge the Kano State Football Association to, in the future event, seriously consider bestowing posthumous awards to these deserving historical individuals who put not only   Kano State but the whole of Northern Nigeria on a football map. 

Let me close by extending my wholehearted congratulations to Kano State Football Association and the awardees.

Jamilu Uba Adamu is a freelance sports writer and can be reached via jameelubaadamu@yahoo.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Finidi George has stepped down as the head coach of the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, citing interference from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). 

George’s resignation comes just two months after his appointment in May, and barely a week after the NFF announced plans to appoint a foreign technical adviser to oversee him. 

The former international winger had expressed frustration over the lack of support from the NFF and questioned the commitment of Nigeria’s top players in the crucial World Cup qualifiers. 

Under George’s leadership, the Super Eagles suffered disappointing losses to South Africa and Benin in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, leading to his demotion. 

According to sources, George’s one-year contract will be downgraded, and his monthly salary will be reduced from N15 million to N5 million.

His handpicked assistants will also be replaced by the new foreign coach’s staff. 

The NFF’s decision to appoint a foreign technical adviser has been widely criticized by Nigerian football fans and stakeholders, who see it as a lack of confidence in local coaches. 

George’s resignation has added to the uncertainty surrounding the Super Eagles’ preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. 

The NFF has yet to officially confirm George’s resignation and has not announced a replacement for the former coach.

 By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Kylian Mbappé has officially signed with Real Madrid, with the club set to announce the French superstar as their new signing next week. 

According to sources, “every document has been signed, sealed, completed,” confirming Mbappé’s decision to join the Spanish giants.

The 24-year-old made his decision in February and has since completed all necessary steps for the transfer. 

“He can be considered a new Real Madrid player,” a source revealed.

Mbappé’s transfer comes on the heels of Real Madrid’s Champions League victory, marking a historic moment for the club. 

The announcement is expected to be made next week, cementing Mbappé’s place in Real Madrid’s history.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

According to reports from L’Équipé, Paris Saint-Germain failed to pay Kylian Mbappé’s salary in April and his bonus in February.

This shocking revelation has led to lawyers getting involved to settle the dispute. 

As one of the top players in the world, Mbappé’s contract is reportedly worth millions, and the failure to pay his salary and bonus on time has raised questions about the club’s financial management. 

The situation is still developing, and fans are eagerly waiting to see how it unfolds.

 By Sabiu Abdullahi 

In an outstanding debut season with Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham has been officially named the La Liga Player of the Season for 2023/24.

The 19-year-old midfielder has made a phenomenal impact, scoring 19 goals and providing 6 assists in his first year with the Spanish giants. 

His impressive performances have earned him this prestigious award, solidifying his status as a fantastic player and an unbelievable signing for Real Madrid. 

Bellingham’s achievements have been recognized by La Liga officials, who honored him with this award for his exceptional contributions to the team’s success. 

By By Muhammad Suleiman Yobe

The Coordinator of the Nigeria Beach Soccer League, Mahmud Hadeija, says the body remains committed to providing the necessary enablers for the game to excel in the nation.

Speaking with Sports Writers during the 2024 Nigeria Beach Soccer League, second round at Nnewi High School Beach Soccer Pitch, he said it would not relent in developing the sport through staging competitions.

While describing the game as unique and one of the fastest-growing leagues in Nigeria, he stressed that youngsters could demonstrate their skills and participate actively on a national scale through the game.

Hadeija, who is President of the African Beach Soccer League, emphasised that fostering a robust Beach Soccer League in the nation could enhance the growth of the game and the nation’s global sports presence.

“The good thing now is that we have the league that is ongoing for the fourth year, fourth season consistently and gradually both on the technical aspect, organisational aspect and also the structure of the teams.

He expressed gratitude to the Anambra State Beach Soccer Association for successfully hosting the event and providing the players with support services to pursue success.

Victor Madubuko, Contributing Chairman of Anambra State Beach Soccer Association, said his gift for innovation and passion for doing something new spurred him to contribute to the development of the game.

Madubuko said he was glad that the collaboration with stakeholders and sponsors, including Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), was yielding the desired result.

One of the highest goal scorers in the league, Chimobi Ekwo, Anambra State Beach Soccer Team, said the team, which has remained unbeaten so far, would not relent in its determination to excel in the Super Four Competition slated to be held in Kaduna.

Six teams from Kebbi, Kaduna, Jigawa and Anambra States are participating in the League.

By Muhammad Suleiman Yobe 

The Chairman of the technical committee on the mini sports festival, Alhaji Musa Muhammad Yaalleman, also the chairman of the Jigawa State Badminton Association, went around to supervise the preparations to kick off the Jigawa State Mini Sports Festival 2024 across the five selected participating associations.

During the supervision, the chairman was accompanied by the senior special assistant on sports and other members of the technical committee. He commended the executive governor of the state, Mallam Umar Namadi, for approving the conduct of the festival for the teeming youths in the state.

He said the state has many potential and talented youths, which, if properly utilised, will make the state more productive in all sporting activities.

He equally appreciates the efforts of the state commissioner of sports, Hon. Sagir Ahmad, for giving all associations the necessary support directly to organise their program and selecting the experienced team to handle the successful conduct of the program.

He said that these initiatives have immensely benefited the association in terms of court repair, sporting equipment purchases, and the rest.

He thanked the governor and Commissioner for sports for fulfilling their promise about the conduct of this festival.

He also appealed to the Commissioner to make this program quarterly, as this would help reduce tension and crime and increase revenue and employment for the state.