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Ilechukwu Hails GTI’s Strategic Impact On NPFL

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Enugu Rangers gaffer, Fidelis Ilechukwu has commended the strategic impact of GTI Group’s initiative towards the restructuring of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

This commendation comes on the heels of the successful completion of the 2023/2024 season.

The highly respected and fast-rising soccer tactician revealed this while speaking to GTI Head of Media Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, at New Jos Stadium shortly after their Match Day 38 tie in which his team defeated Gombe United 2-1 in the final match of the NPFL 2023/2024 season. Following the victory, the Flying Antelopes amassed a total of 70 points and were crowned as NPFL champions.

READ ALSO: NPFL Stages AGM In Lagos From July 15-16

The soccer battle was graced by an appreciative capacity crowd of fans at the venue that had the governors of Enugu, Peter Mbah and that of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang in attendance.

Ilechukwu who was full of praise for GTI said the efforts of the financial investment firm and its emergence in Nigeria’s football ecosystem is already yielding the desired results.

“The strategic impact of GTI on the NPFL in the past two seasons they came on board is commendable and top notch. In the just concluded 2023/2024 NPFL season for example, GTI did creditably well because having our games streamed and beamed live globally is a great initiative by the company,” he said.

However, having been officially crowned champions of the 2023/2024 NPFL season, Rangers received a whooping sum of one hundred-and-fifty-million-naira (N150m) prize money from the NPFL which might have elicited Ilechukwu to take the stance.

He further confirmed that all hands are on deck beginning from the coaching crew to the entire management of the team to ensure they have a successful outing at next season’s CAF Champions League in which Rangers will be flying the flag of the country at the continental level.

“We have started preparations and looking out on how to get more quality players into the team to fortify our squad as we build up for our continental engagements next season.

“It is very important we fortify our present squad because we know what it entails to play and challenge for trophies at the continental level. Frankly, we are preparing very well regarding this and we are optimistic that we are going to do well and make Nigeria proud at the continent,” Ilechukwu concluded.

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Team Nigeria Stuns Commonwealth Games with Record-Breaking Performances

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Buhari rewards Tobi Amusan, others

Team Nigeria delivered a remarkable display at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, producing a world record, a historic gold medal and a hard-fought bronze to underline the country’s growing dominance in athletics.

Leading the charge was para-athlete Goodness Nwachukwu, who successfully defended her women’s F42 discus throw title in spectacular fashion by setting a new world record of 39.66 metres with her final throw.

ALSO READ: FIFA in Turmoil as Senior Adviser Steps Down Over Controversial World Cup Deal

The 27-year-old surpassed her previous world record by more than three metres to register her fourth career world record and add another Commonwealth gold medal to her impressive collection.

Wales’ Funmi Oduwaiye settled for silver with a throw of 38.52 metres, while Bree Cronin claimed bronze after recording 36.00 metres.

Reacting to her achievement, an emotional Nwachukwu said, “I feel like I am on top of the world. I feel so great. I feel so wow, I was like, ‘Ah, what?’ and I started shouting.”

She also expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their unwavering support, adding, “I love you all and I can’t wait to see you. Love you.”

Nigeria’s celebrations continued in the men’s shot put, where Chukwuebuka Enekwechi made history by becoming the first Nigerian to win Commonwealth Games gold in the event.

The African record holder secured victory with a throw of 21.07 metres, improving on the silver medal he won at the 2018 Commonwealth Games while erasing the disappointment of his fourth-place finish in Birmingham four years ago.

Defending champion Tom Walsh of New Zealand claimed silver with a throw of 21.03 metres, while England’s Scott Lincoln finished with bronze after throwing 20.99 metres.

Meanwhile, world record holder Tobi Amusan displayed determination in the women’s 100m hurdles, clocking 12.60 seconds to claim bronze and extend her Commonwealth Games medal streak to three consecutive editions.

Although she narrowly missed out on a third successive Commonwealth title, Amusan revealed after the race that she had been hampered by a knee injury sustained during Team Nigeria’s training camp in Aberdeen.

The outstanding performances by Nwachukwu, Enekwechi and Amusan capped another memorable day for Team Nigeria, as the athletes combined to deliver medals, history and a world record at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

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FIFA in Turmoil as Senior Adviser Steps Down Over Controversial World Cup Deal

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FIFA has been thrown into fresh controversy after a senior adviser to President Gianni Infantino resigned over a proposed plan to sell a stake in the commercial operations of the FIFA World Cup, describing the move as harmful to the future of football.

The resignation, announced on Friday, marks a major setback for Infantino as criticism continues to mount over the governing body’s plans to commercialize aspects of the world’s biggest football tournament.

SEE MORE: FIFA Makes Historic Change as World Cup Winners to Receive Championship Rings

Carlos Cordeiro, a former president of the United States Soccer Federation and one of Infantino’s senior advisers, said he could not support the proposal, insisting it would undermine the interests of FIFA’s member associations and the sport itself.

“As a senior advisor to the FIFA president, a former banker, and a lifelong football fan, I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup,” Cordeiro said in his resignation statement.

He stressed that he had no role in developing the proposal.

“Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally,” he said.

Cordeiro further described the initiative as detrimental to football’s long-term future.

“It is a bad deal for FIFA’s member associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game,” he added.

His resignation came just hours after FIFA announced it would continue with what it described as an “open and democratic” consultation process on the proposal, despite growing opposition.

The development represents one of the most significant internal challenges facing Infantino in recent months and is expected to intensify debate over the commercial direction of global football and the governance of the FIFA World Cup.

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End of an Era: Neymar Retires from International Football After 16 Years

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Neymar Cries After Losing Over N512m To Online Gambling

Brazilian football icon Neymar Jr. has officially announced his retirement from international football, ending a remarkable 16-year career with the Brazil national team and closing one of the most celebrated chapters in the country’s football history.

The 34-year-old Santos forward confirmed his decision after his side’s 4-2 victory over Universidad Central in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana knockout round playoffs, putting an end to months of speculation about a potential return to the Seleção.

SEE ALSO: World Cup Setback: Neymar Ruled Out of Brazil’s Crucial Haiti Clash

Reflecting on his decision, Neymar said he had given everything for his country.
“My time with the national team is over. I made history, I was very happy, I gave my blood, my life. I always fought for the yellow jersey, but now I don’t want to anymore,” he said.

Neymar’s final appearance for Brazil came in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Norway. Although he converted a stoppage-time penalty, Brazil suffered a 2-1 defeat, ending their hopes of winning a sixth World Cup title.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star retires as Brazil’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer, having scored 80 goals to surpass the legendary Pelé’s record of 77.

Since making his senior debut in 2010, Neymar represented Brazil in four FIFA World Cups, multiple Copa América tournaments, the FIFA Confederations Cup and the Olympic Games.

He played a key role in Brazil’s 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup triumph and captained the nation to its first-ever Olympic men’s football gold medal at the Rio 2016 Games.

Despite his extraordinary achievements, injuries often hampered his international career. A calf injury sustained while playing for Santos ruled him out of Brazil’s opening two matches at the 2026 World Cup.

He later returned as a substitute against Scotland in the final group-stage match before making his final international appearance against Norway, scoring the last goal of his Brazil career.

Neymar’s retirement marks the end of an era for Brazilian football, leaving behind a legacy of record-breaking achievements, unforgettable moments and unwavering commitment to the famous yellow jersey.

 

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