Sports
146 Goals Scandal: Stakeholders Applaud Life Ban Of Perpetrators
Some stakeholders in football in Nigeria, have commended Nigeria Football Association (NFA) for its verdict on the four clubs involved in the scandalous matches in Bauchi.
They said that the decision would help to ensure sanity among those involved in soccer at all levels.
All four clubs, players and match officials involved in the match fixing at the Nigeria Nationwide League promotion play-off in Bauchi were banned for life by NFA.
In the matches, Plateau United Feeders of Plateau defeated Akurba of Nasarawa State, 79-0, while Police Machine of Adamawa defeated Bubayero of Gombe 67-0.
Abdullahi Abubakar, the FCT FA Secretary, said in Abuja that the verdict was “a bold and courageous step’’.
“It is a shame and an embarrassment as they colluded to carry out an act they knew full well was wrong.
“I am happy NFA took a decision on this as it will set as an example to others and in the future,’’ he said.
The secretary also blamed the situation on similar cases, which occurred in the past but were not punished.
Abubakar said this was not the first time such act happened, adding that it also happened in Zamfara and Calabar, where senior teams were involved but were not punished.
“If those teams were sanctioned, it could have deterred these junior teams from doing same,” he added.
Chairman Nigerian Coaches Association (NCA) FCT Chapter, Godwin Bamigboye, hailed NFA, saying that match-fixing was not a good thing and should not be encouraged.
“The sanction is a welcome development and I am happy with the decision. The punishment is nice approach in checking the practice,’’ Bamigboye said.
A football enthusiast, Chijioke Okoye also said the NFA decision was justified and the sanction well-deserved.
“This has brought nothing but shame to Nigerian football. Such a ban will act as a deterrent to people who may want to perpetrate such acts in future.
“The international community will also be aware that Nigeria has not condoned such acts of impunity in the game of football,’’ Okoye said.
An Abuja-based businessman, Faith Ajide, blamed the leadership of the clubs and said that NFA should have been lenient on the players as the decision had tarnished their future.
“NFA should consider the players, as some of them may be good and talented. A lighter punishment should have been given to them.
“The leaderships of the club are the ones that deserved the wrath of the NFA,’’ Ajide said.
Another football enthusiast, Adeyemo Feranmi also blamed the officials of the match for the scandalous score lines, stressing that the life ban on the players could not be justified.
“The match officials should be able to account for the score lines of the matches, so they should be held responsible for the outcome.
“Therefore, NFA should not have disciplined the players with so much severity,” Feranmi said.
An Abuja-based business woman, Jessy Kadiri, hailed the decision on the clubs but added that sanctioning the referees was wrong.
“It is not the duty of the referee to end a match because of the number of goals scored. If the goals scored were right, the referee had no reason to cancel the goals.
“The referee would have cancelled the goals if they came through foul-play. I think the referees did their job,” she said.
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
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