Author: Gabby

Kwara United midfielder Toyeeb Gidado has voiced his frustration after the team’s early departure from the 2026 President Federation Cup. The Harmony Boys suffered a 1-0 defeat against Sokoto United in the Round of 32 on Tuesday.

Gidado attributed the loss to their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. “It was an extremely difficult match; the opponent was well-organized and strong,” he told Raysports. “We created chances but failed to convert them, and we paid the price.”

The midfielder admitted the squad is deeply disappointed, especially after their triumph in last year’s competition in Lagos. “Our goal was to defend the title, so this result is very hard to accept,” he added.

The Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, are set to lock horns with Poland in a pre-2026 FIFA World Cup friendly scheduled for Wednesday night. This encounter marks only the second meeting between the two sides in history.

Fresh off retaining the Unity Cup, Eric Chelle’s squad arrived for the match after a flawless run against Zimbabwe and Jamaica. Meanwhile, Poland enters this fixture as part of their World Cup preparations, having previously secured a 2-0 victory over Ukraine in their first friendly.

Their lone previous clash was a March 2018 friendly, which Nigeria won 1-0. Below, we provide live updates as the action unfolds in Warsaw.

LINEUPS:

Poland XI: Kamil Grabara; Przemyslaw Wisniewski, Jan Bednarek, Kacper Potulski, Jakub Kaminski, Bartosz Slisz, Piotr Zielinski, Nicola Zalewski; Sebastian Szymanski, Robert Lewandowski, Karol Swiderski.

Nigeria XI: Maduka Okoye; Abdullahi Bewene, Igoh Ogbu, Emmanuel Fernandez, Onyemaechi Bruno; Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Tochukwu Nnadi, Moses Simon; Akor Adams, Terem Moffi.

LIVE UPDATES:

First Half: The Super Eagles strike first! A brilliant build-up culminates with Terem Moffi slotting home a low cross from Moses Simon. 1-0 Nigeria. Poland responds quickly as Kacper Potulski heads in from a corner to level the score. 1-1. The half ends with the teams tied.

Second Half: Nigeria regains the lead via a penalty. Paul Onuachu coolly converts from the spot to make it 2-1. However, Poland snatches a draw with the last kick of the game—Przemyslaw Wisniewski unleashes a long-range strike that beats Maduka Okoye. Final score: 2-2.

Full Time: A thrilling contest ends in a stalemate. For the full match report, see below.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially announced the pairings for the quarter-final stage of the 2026 Women’s President Federation Cup, setting the stage for intense battles among eight top Nigerian women’s football clubs.

In one of the standout fixtures, Rivers Angels will square off against Robo Queens in a highly anticipated South-South derby. Both teams have strong regional followings and will be eager to secure a spot in the semifinals.

Another thrilling encounter sees Heartland Queens take on Ibom Angels. Both sides have shown impressive form in the tournament so far, promising a closely fought contest.

Sunshine Queens and Confluence Queens will lock horns in the third quarter-final. This matchup pits two well-organized teams against each other, each aiming to advance further in the competition.

Completing the quarter-final lineup, Edo Queens will face Nasarawa Amazons. This clash is expected to be a test of tactical discipline and attacking prowess.

The Women’s President Federation Cup continues to showcase the growing depth of talent in Nigerian women’s football, with these fixtures highlighting the competitive nature of the league. The NFF is expected to announce the specific dates, venues, and kick-off times for these matches in the coming days, adding to the anticipation among fans and players alike.

Aliyu Zubair, the former coach of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, has pinpointed a critical issue that is preventing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs from advancing past the group stages in African tournaments. According to Zubair, the prevalent practice of short-term signings is a major obstacle.

Speaking on Kwara SWAN’s Sports Hard Talk programme on Wednesday, Zubair emphasized that NPFL teams need to move away from this temporary recruitment trend if they hope to be competitive on the continent. He argued that clubs should instead focus on retaining a stable core of players over several seasons.

Zubair noted that many other African clubs sign players for three to four years, allowing them to develop strong team chemistry and mutual understanding on the pitch. This long-term approach, he explained, gives them a distinct edge over Nigerian sides.

“As long as we continue with short-term contracts, we will struggle in continental competitions,” Zubair warned. “In other parts of Africa, clubs sign players for longer periods, enabling them to build cohesion that we lack.”

Looking ahead, Rivers United and Enugu Rangers have secured spots in next season’s CAF Champions League, while Shooting Stars and the 2026 President Federation Cup winner will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup. Zubair’s comments suggest that without a change in philosophy, these teams may face similar challenges as their predecessors.

Manchester United have reportedly finalized a deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, marking their first major acquisition of the 2026 summer transfer window. The Brazilian international is set to become the inaugural signing under manager Michael Carrick as the club seeks to overhaul its midfield after Casemiro’s exit.

To finance further reinforcements, the Red Devils are now planning to generate funds through player sales. According to reports from The Metro, three first-team squad members have been made available for transfer: Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee, and Andre Onana.

Ugarte, a defensive midfielder who joined recently, has struggled to secure a regular starting spot, while Zirkzee’s impact as a striker has been limited. Onana, despite being the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, is also on the list as the club looks to raise capital for multiple midfield targets.

United’s focus on strengthening the middle of the park follows the departure of experienced midfielder Casemiro. The club is believed to be targeting several additions to bolster depth and quality in that area.

The sale of these three players is expected to free up significant funds and wages, allowing Carrick to reshape his squad ahead of the new season.

Real Madrid’s chief Florentino Perez is poised to announce the club’s first significant acquisition of the upcoming season on Thursday, June 4. The revelation comes just days before the highly anticipated presidential election scheduled for June 7.

During an interview with El Español, the incumbent president and candidate Perez disclosed that the initial marquee signing for the new campaign would be made public this week. “Of course. This Thursday, I will announce Real Madrid’s first major signing for next season,” Perez declared in an interview relayed by COPE. “Everyone knows what my sporting plan is: to have the best players and continue winning.”

Perez’s move to strengthen the squad follows a disappointing season where Real Madrid failed to secure any major silverware. The announcement is intended to reassure fans and demonstrate his commitment to restoring the club’s dominance both domestically and in Europe.

In an exciting international friendly on Wednesday, Nigeria’s Super Eagles were forced to settle for a 2-2 stalemate against Poland after conceding a late equalizer. The match served as a testing ground for both sides, with Eric Chelle using the opportunity to evaluate fresh talent, while Poland continued their preparations for the impending 2026 World Cup.

The Nigerian side seized the advantage in the opening half through a beautifully orchestrated move. Moses Simon showcased his pace and vision as he drove into the penalty area, delivering a pinpoint pass to Terem Moffi, who calmly slotted the ball into the net to put his team ahead.

Poland responded swiftly, leveling the score just before the halftime whistle. A corner kick caused chaos in the Nigerian box, and the loose ball fell to Kacper Potulski, who smashed it home to make it 1-1.

Undeterred, Nigeria regained the lead after the break. Paul Onuachu stepped up to convert a penalty with composure, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to restore the advantage. However, Poland had other ideas. Przemyslaw Wisniewski unleashed a powerful strike from outside the area that flew past Maduka Okoye, ensuring the spoils were shared.

The draw highlighted both the attacking promise and defensive vulnerabilities of the Super Eagles as they continue to build squad depth under Chelle’s guidance.

Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has taken a swipe at Arsenal following their loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final. The Frenchman posted a video on social media featuring the Champions League trophy set to MC Hammer’s hit ‘U Can’t Touch This’, dancing and mocking the Gunners.

In his tweet, Evra said he had been trying to be respectful, but some Arsenal fans were getting too bold. He wrote: ‘You finally won the war after 22 years of banter. Now let’s start another 50 years of banter about the Big Ears Cup.’

Evra faced Arsenal 21 times during his career, securing 13 wins and suffering only four losses.