Sports
Infantino’s Visit: Fans Seek End To Nation’s Soccer Calamities
Ebonyi State football fans
have expressed the hope that the visit of FIFA President Gianni Infantino to Nigeria on Sunday would end the spate of calamities that have befallen the nation’s football.
The nation’s football had witnessed several downturns such as qualification failure for AFCON 2007 the death of former coaches Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu, among others.
The downturn was heightened last weekend with the Flying Eagles’ elimination from the 2017 African Youth Championship after losing 3-4 to Sudan in Lagos.
An Abakaliki-based Evangelist, Rev. Okechukwu Oketa, hoped that the visit of the FIFA president would set the path for a spiritual rejuvenation of the nation’s football.
“Nigeria’s football history is experiencing its worst ‘run’ because the ‘wrong’ people are at the helm of its affairs and they seem to have lost focus on ways to manage it.
“I believe with faith, that God sent the World’s No. 1 soccer administrator to the country to commence the process of correcting the ills bedevilling our football,’’ he said.
A retired referee and veteran sports administrator in Ebonyi, Joachim Okoro observed that God’s intervention would only manifest when those running Nigeria’s football “distinguished their left from their right’’.
“Infantino should make it clear to President Muhammadu Buhari that the era of government’s monopoly in sports is over, as knowledgeable individuals should be allowed to manage the sector.
“The problem with our football is that those managing it are ‘political proteges’ of former Nigerian leaders who have continued to lead our football into the abyss,’’ he said.
Supporting the assertion, a palyer of the defunct Nitel Vasco FC of Enugu, Ikechukwu Aniakor said that the odds did not favour the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF board to continue in office.
“A division six club in a serious-minded football setting for instance, cannot make the mistake of announcing a coach’s appointment without settling personal terms with him.
“Infantino should hold a private discussion with the NFF board on the issue of competence as it is the board’s archiles heels,’’ he said.
A hotelier and soccer enthusiast, Chief Fredrick Uka urged Chris Giwa and his faction to save the nation’s soccer from embarrassment by shunning acts that would derail Infantino’s visit.
“He should allow the visit to go on without hitch as Nigerians have realised the incompetence of the present board.
“The FIFA president’s visit should also dwell on the lingering problems in the NFF’s leadership to resolve it permanently,’’ he said.
A youth activist, Mrs Isabela Ike called on the NFF to drop the idea of rotating venues for matches involving the national team.
“During the golden days of the country’s football, national teams had their ‘traditional homes’ which the players were familiar with and delivered good results.
Gialuigui Donnarumma (Italy and Man City)
One of the greatest strikers of the past 15 years, Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, is among the big names who will not be playing at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
The 37-year-old Barcelona striker, who has scored 89 goals for his country, was not able to inspire his side as they lost 3-2 in Stockholm against Sweden in Tuesday’s play-off final.
Lewandowski, who won the German Bundesliga title on 10 occasions, twice with Borussia Dortmund and then in eight successive seasons with Bayern Munich, before winning La Liga twice with Barca, may have played in his last major international tournament.
Lewandowski captained Poland at the World Cup in 2018, but did not score in Russia as his country came bottom of the group. He had a better tournament four years later in Qatar, scoring twice as Poland reached the last 16 before losing to France.
He netted four times in Group G in 2026 qualifying only for Poland to finish three points behind the Netherlands, before losing to Sweden on Tuesday.
Gialuigui Donnarumma (Italy and Man City)
Another star that will be missing in action at the mundial is Gialuigui Donnarumma of Italy.
Italy lost in the World Cup play-offs for a third successive qualifying tournament
Gianluigi Donnarumma has been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season since he moved from Paris St-Germain for £26m in September, after helping the French club win the Champions League last season.
Despite being player of the tournament as Italy won the 2020 European Championship, he misses out on a World Cup again after Italy lost 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday.
Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund and Guinea)
Serhou Guirassy is Fourth in the list of Bundesliga top scorers this season
Serhou Guirassy has established himself as one of most prolific strikers playing in Europe, with 62 goals in the German Bundesliga over the past three seasons, while no player scored more than his 13 goals in the Champions League in 2024-25.
But he will not be at the World Cup as his country Guinea went out in the first round of African qualifying, finishing fourth in their group, with only four wins and three draws from their 10 matches.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia and PSG)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia helped Paris St-Germain become European champions last season, scoring in the 5-0 final win over Inter Milan, and he came 12th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards.
But Georgia had a miserable campaign in World Cup qualifying as they only picked up three points from a group that contained Spain, Turkey and Bulgaria.
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray and Nigeria)
Victor Osimhen has scored 26 goals for club and country this season
Victor Osimhen helped Napoli win Serie A in 2023 before moving to Galatasaray, where he grabbed 26 goals in 30 games to take them to the Turkish title last season.
Nigeria drew five of their 10 matches in the first group phase as they finished one point behind winners South Africa, but then had a second chance in the following play-off.
With Osimhen already substituted, Nigeria lost on penalties to DR Congo to miss out on the World Cup.
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool and Hungary)
Dominik Szoboszlai has scored 12 goals for Liverpool this season
Liverpool and Hungary midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has impressed this season and scored some stunning long-range goals.
But he will not be at the World Cup after his country let a 2-1 lead slip in their final group game with the Republic of Ireland scoring twice in injury time to clinch a spot in the play-offs and eliminate Hungary.
Female wrestlers in action at Governor Diri Wrestling Classics.
Ondo State wrestlers dominated the women’s events on Day six of the fourth Governor Douye Diri Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa on Monday, claiming gold medals in two of the four women’s freestyle categories.
African champion Khadijat Idris of Ondo State led the charge in the 55kg division, defeating rising talent Mary Ayeloh of Bayelsa State by technical superiority to claim gold. Happiness Soso of Delta State and Augustine Rhoda of Lagos State took bronze medals in the category.
Damola Ojo also flew the Ondo flag proudly in the 76kg event, retaining her title after defeating all opponents in a round-robin format. Nigeria Army wrestler Laide Ojo settled for silver, while Juliet Ogo of Bayelsa State and Mercy Alison of Abia State each claimed bronze.
In the 62kg category, Patience Kakanda of Bayelsa State produced the upset of the day, defeating Nigeria Army’s Precious Tieberi 3-1 in the final to be crowned the new champion. Isioma Abojei of Delta State and Blessing Apah of Dynamite Club won bronze medals.
Rivers State’s Esther Asaolu also retained her title in the 59kg division, overcoming all her opponents in the round-robin format, with Patience Opuene of Bayelsa State finishing as runner-up.
In the men’s events, Solomon Ulabo of Bayelsa State claimed gold in the 79kg category, with Kpum Ayibasisei of Edo State taking silver and Rasheed Saliu of Ondo State and Ebisindei Okorie of Dynamite Club winning bronze. NewLife Ebikeme of Bayelsa State won the 92kg gold, ahead of Perezidei Obaze of Edo State in silver position, while Tobechukwu Udeh of the Nigeria Army and Timilehin Adekanmi of Ondo State claimed bronze medals.
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