Sports
Osimhen: How Soon Will He Become Nigeria’s Record Scorer?
Youthful Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, has scored 20 goals in 27 games for Super Eagles of Nigeria.
This leaves him fourth on the all time scorers ranking for Nigeria’s national senior men’s football team, the Super Eagles.
Others on the top three ranking are, Rasheed Yekini of blessed memory, who remains, Nigeria’s all-time top scorer with 37 goals, legendary Segun Odegbami, is second with 23 goals scored in 46 games, and Yakubu Aiyegbeni with 21 goals to his credit.
This record shows that going into today’s friendly against the Saudi Arabian national team, Osimhen can fancy his chances of displacing Aiyegbeni in the third place, with just two strikes.
Football buffs maintain that given the Napoli strikers prolific form for the both club and country, Aiyegbeni’s records is under real threat.
However, what is more interesting is that given the rate at which Osimhen has progressed, his surpassing Yekini’s record is just a matter of time, baring injury.
This is so, because the record took Yekini almost two decades and close to close to 100 games to set, while Odegbemi made his mark between 1976 and 1982, and Aiyegbeni required 57 games between 2000 and 2012 for his 21-goal-mark, which leaves him in third place.
The Napoli striker’s national team goal-ration is superior to those, whose records, he would be aiming to take.
The 24-year-old has been in prolific form for the Eagles, scoring 10 goals in his last six games — which saw him emerge as the highest scorer in the African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
However, he has not been as prolific in friendlies as in competitive games for the Super Eagles, having scored just once in six friendly encounters.
Recall that Osimhen made his competitive debut for Nigeria in a 2-0 loss to South Africa in 2017 and scored his first goal for the Super Eagles from the spot in a 2-2 draw against Ukraine in Dnipro in 2018.
The Napoli star was a member of the Nigerian squad to the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, where he made only one appearance — the third-place match.
He missed out on the delayed AFCON edition in Cameroon in 2022 over COVID-19 related issues, but started off the qualification for the 2023 AFCON in sparkling form helping Nigeria win both of their first two matches.
Osimhen netted a goal against Sierra Leone and another four goals in a 10–0 win against São Tomé and Príncipe.
In the reverse fixture at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on September 10, Osimhen scored his second international hat-trick in Nigeria’s 6–0 win against the minnows, which saw him finish the 2023 AFCON qualifiers as top scorer with 10 goals.
Sports
Obi’s Inspiring Christmas Message Of Hope For Women’s Football
The Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Nkechi Obi, has delivered an inspiring Christmas message, celebrating the board’s achievements in 2024 while expressing hope and determination for the future of women’s football in Nigeria.
Reflecting on the milestones of the past year, Obi extended heartfelt gratitude to players, coaches, fans, and stakeholders for their unwavering dedication to the league’s growth and success.
The experienced sports administrator described 2024 as a year of breaking barriers, strengthening structures, and laying the groundwork for even greater accomplishments.
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“As we celebrate Christmas and reflect on another remarkable year, I want to express my profound gratitude to everyone who has been part of the NWFL’s journey,” Obi said.
“To our players, your passion, talent, and resilience are the heart of this league, inspiring us to aim higher. To the coaches, officials, sponsors, and supporters, your commitment to advancing women’s football in Nigeria has been invaluable.”
Obi emphasized the values of love, unity, and hope that Christmas embodies, drawing parallels to the collaborative spirit driving the league forward. She encouraged stakeholders to celebrate the progress made and remain optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead.
“The 2024/2025 season promises to be one of growth, excitement, and greater inclusivity,” she added.
“Together, we will continue to push boundaries and ensure women’s football reaches its full potential in Nigeria. I wish you all a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year. May the season bring peace, love, and renewed inspiration for us all.”
Her message not only celebrates the successes of the past year but also sets a tone of optimism and collaboration for 2025, reaffirming the NWFL board’s commitment to excellence and progress.
Sports
Australian Tennis Champion, Max Purcell Faces Doping Suspension
Australian doubles champion, Max Purcell has been provisionally suspended after admitting to a violation of anti-doping regulations, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Monday.
The 26-year-old, ranked 12th in the world for doubles, confessed to using a “prohibited method” and voluntarily entered a provisional suspension beginning December 10.
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The ITIA confirmed the suspension took full effect on December 12, stating, “Time served under provisional suspension will be credited against any future sanction.”
As a result of the suspension, the 26-year-old is banned from competing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis events sanctioned by the sport’s governing bodies.
This suspension rules him out of January’s Australian Open, where he was expected to be a strong contender.
Purcell’s career highlights include winning the 2022 Wimbledon doubles title with fellow Australian Matt Ebden and this year’s US Open doubles crown alongside Jordan Thompson.
In a statement, Tennis Australia clarified that the violation concerned a prohibited method rather than a banned substance.
“The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed the breach relates to the use of a prohibited method, rather than the presence of a prohibited substance.
“As the matter is currently under investigation, it is inappropriate to comment further at this time,” it said.
The ITIA did not provide further details regarding the breach but noted that investigations are ongoing.
This case comes amid increased scrutiny over doping in tennis. Recent incidents include Polish world number two Iga Swiatek and Italian top-ranked player Jannik Sinner.
Swiatek received a one-month sanction earlier this year after testing positive for a banned heart medication, though the violation was deemed unintentional.
Meanwhile, Sinner was cleared after twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol, though the World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed the decision.
Both Swiatek and Sinner are set to compete in the Australian Open, beginning January 12.
Sports
CAF Awards: GTI Congratulates NFF, Lookman, Others
Strategic partners to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), GTI Group has congratulated the football ruling body on the successful achievements of Nigerian footballers at the just concluded CAF Awards ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco where Super Eagles dare-devil striker Ademola Lookman was crowned the African Player of the Year.
Head of Media and Publicity, GTI, Andrew Ekejiuba, in a statement in Lagos, expressed great hope that the efforts of the NFF at restructuring and repositioning football development in the country has begun yielding the desired results.
Biztellers reports that CAF awards event also witnessed the back-to-back emergence of Super Falcons goaltender, Chiamaka Nnadozie as CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, while the Super Falcons carted home the Women’s National Team of the Year award.
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Ekejiuba reiterated that the Alh Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF is gradually returning the country to the glorious years when Nigeria dominated the award and was once ranked 5th best soccer-playing nation by the world football ruling body FIFA.
“The achievements of our Nigerian players at the just concluded CAF Award is a testament to the abundance of talents in the country and the clear vision of Alh Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF board to ensure that these players realise their ambition to become the best in the continent and beyond.
“Therefore, GTI congratulates the Awardees for bringing honour to Nigeria,” he said.
“As strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League, GTI’s relentless effort with the NPFL Board has helped to lay a solid foundation for a prosperous elite league that will eventually attract the best legs locally and internationally. Also, by focusing on transparency, infrastructural development and security, GTI and NPFL are creating a sustainable environment where football can thrive”.