Sports
Super Eagles Rank 30th In World Football
Reigning African Champions, the Super Eagles, were yesterday rated the 30th best team in the world in the January FIFA World rankings.
Nigeria moved up 22 places from its 52nd position last December to occupy the 30th position.
In Africa, the Super Eagles moved up to the fourth spot from its former ninth position.
The improvement might have been as a result of the team’s impressive performance at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations tournament in South Africa, where they won the trophy.
Cote d’Ivoire maintained its position as Africa’s first placed team but moved up two places from 14 to 12 in the world.
Ghana and Mali occupied the second and third spots in Africa with both placed on 19th and 25th positions in the world, respectively.
Meanwhile, former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West has expressed satisfaction with the ranking, saying it was a stepping stone for the team.
West said that the victory in South Africa added value to the team, adding that it would motivate Coach Stephen Keshi and the team to work harder.
“I am satisfied with the ranking, it is a stepping stone for the team and it will motivate both Keshi and the team to work harder,” he said.
A former Eagles Coach, Christian Chukwu, in his reaction said he was happy about the development and Nigeria becoming Africa’s number one again.
“I am happy with the development; this is how important being successful can be to a country.
“They must keep working hard to get to the top because being Africa’s number one team is a gradual process,” Chukwu said.
A former Eagles midfielder Friday Ekpo, said the ranking was a morale booster, noting that it would build the team’s reputation and confidence.
“It’s a morale booster; it will make us improve and build on the team’s reputation and confidence as a force to reckon with.
“The likes of Spain who occupy the number one position in the world are a testimony of building young players which Keshi has adopted,” he said.
World Champions Spain, Germany and Argentina occupied the first, second and third spots, respectively while football powerhouse, Brazil, was ranked 18th.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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