Sports
Sports Lovers Hail Miagari’s Sack
Some sports enthusiasts
have in Abuja said the impeachment of Aminu Maigari as the Chairman of Nigeria Football Association (NFA) was a welcome development.
NFA board had on July 24 accused Maigari of financial maladministration and misapplication, and subsequently impeached him.
The association’s First Vice-Chairman, Mike Umeh, was consequently mandated to preside over the affairs of the NFA pending the composition of a new board after their forthcoming August 26 elections.
In reaction to the development, the sports enthusiasts told newsmen in separate interviews that corruption should be effectively tackled if the NFA was to take the country’s football to greater heights.
Kola Daniel, a sports broadcaster, said it was high time embezzlement and misapplication of funds were treated as serious offences.
“When the level of financial misappropriation is revealed, it must not be treated with levity and I am indeed pleased with the recent development in the Glass House.
“It is alarming to hear that some group of people have formed a cartel to rape our football to its last breath with impunity.
“We have not heard the last of this matter yet as more secrets of their shenanigans will be revealed as the days go by,’’ he said.
Godwin Bamigboye, the Chairman of Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA), FCT Chapter, said everyone found wanting must be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.
“We need to take the necessary steps to get it right for once in the NFA as Nigerian football is in dire need of professionalism,’’ he said.
Mansur Abdullahi, the Secretary, Organising and Disciplinary Committee, FCT Football Association, said the move by the NFA board was a sign of better things ahead for Nigerian football.
“It was obvious that the Aminu Maigari-led administration got drunk from the chalice it brewed.
“For me, I think it was not just the Chairman that should go, but the whole board should go also. This is because there is no way that they (all the other board members) will be innocent of the same crime,’’ he said.
Taofeek Lawal, a sports analyst, told newsmen that it was worrisome that it had become a practice in the NFA for those who take over the helm of affairs to see it as an avenue to enrich themselves.
“I recall that Sani Lulu (the NFA Chairman from 2006 to 2010) was also allegedly impeached on the basis of the same offences in 2010.
“All those who helped to ease out Lulu and called Maigari to come and take the NFA chairmanship were effectively shut out by Maigari,” he said.
Bala Shehu, the Head Coach of Adamawa United Football Club of Yola, said the move was a step in the right direction. He told newsmen that Maigari’s administration should be made to account for all the monies it collected during the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
“ Nigeria, through the NFA, got eight million dollars for participating in the group stages of the World Cup, just like the other 31 participating teams.
“This is aside from the 1.5 million dollars initially given to the NFA to prepare the team for the competition.
“For getting to the Round of 16 they also raked in another 9 million dollars. So, Maigari must be able to tell Nigerians how these monies were spent,’’ the coach claimed.
He, however, said he never had any blames for the Super Eagles players who asked to be paid their bonuses.
Shehu said it was embarrassing that NFA had to hold meetings with the players over matters of bonuses during the competition.
“ In the past, when the players weren’t aware of their rights, the NFA used to collect such monies from FIFA after the World Cup and then deny receipt of it.
“This is not going to be any more. Times have changed and everyone is more enlightened, including FIFA who now knows how corrupt some of the Football Associations are,’’ he said.
Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.
Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.
However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.
Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.
Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.
Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.
The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.
City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.
But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.
Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.
Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.
West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.
Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)
Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.
Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.
West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.
All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).
In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.
West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.
The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.
And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.
Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.
Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.
But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.
Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.
Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.
Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.
Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.
Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.
Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.
The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.
PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.
Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.
Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.
Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.
Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.
