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Ogunjobi, Onigbinde Differ On Saintfiet’s Appointment

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A former chairman, Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Taiwo Ogunjobi, has blamed former coaches of the Super Eagles, Adegboye Onigbinde and Christian Chukwu for the appointment of Tom Saintfiet as Technical Director.

Ogunjobi said this while reacting to speculations that a reputable Nigerian coach would be Saintfiet’s assistant.

Belgium-born Saintfiet, 38, was offered the job by the NFA on March 19.

Ogunjobi told newsmen that they aided and abetted the process of Saintfiet’s appointment by not informing the Nigerian Coaches Association (NCA) of the vacancy.

He added that as members of the NFA technical committee, they ought to have alerted their colleagues to also apply for the job.

“It’s their fault, they should have taken the message to the NCA to let them be in the picture, but they did not.

“They did not do anything until the appointment of the Belgian.

“Now people are crying wolf. Were they not part of the committee that appointed Saintfiet? If he was not good they should have told us from the beginning,’’ he said.

Ogunjobi, who is also chairman of the Osun State Football Association (OFA), added that a Nigerian coach, who had a better understanding of the country’s football terrain and culture, was best suited for the job.

He described the technical department of the NFA, as the nerve centre of the country’s football, solely responsible for the intellectual growth of football.

“I am surprised and pained that a Nigerian coach, who should have a better understanding of our football culture, was not given the opportunity to apply for the job,’’ he said.

But Onigbinde, reacting to the allegation, dismissed the claim by Ogunjobi that he was at fault on the appointment of the Belgian as technical director.

He said that since the NFA already had in mind what it intended to do about the appointment, those who were not privy to it should be mindful of what they say on the issue.

“Am not interested in all this childish nonsense; what are we going to alert the coaching association about?’’ the two-time coach of the national team said.

“A position we already know what they intended to do, I don’t have time for such opinions that’s why Ogunjobi should be reserved in his comment’’.

Speaking further on the appointment of the Belgian, Onigbinde said that Saintfiet was not qualified for the job because of his age and experience.

The former Super Eagles coach added that he was privy to the Belgian’s pedigree and what led to his exit as coach of the Ethiopian national team.

“He is 38 years old, which automatically rules him out of the job. The job requires an experienced, knowledgeable and a high level of intelligence— which he couldn’t have acquired.

“I know what drove him out of Ethiopia because I have his data,’’ Onigbinde said.

The appointment of Saintfiet had attracted the criticism of Nigerians who described it as an affront on the country’s football.

In its defence, the NFA has claimed that no Nigerian coach applied for the job, which had been vacant since the removal of James Peters in 2010.

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European Giants Circle For Osimhen

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Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race

Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.

Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.

According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.

“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.

“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”

Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.

The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”

It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”

The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.

Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.

His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.

Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.

The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor

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Tennis Event Boosts Grassroots Development Push

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A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.

The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.

On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.

In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.

Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.

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W/Cup Qualifier: Flamingos In Impressive Opener

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Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.

The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.

Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.

Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.

The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.

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