Sports
FIFA Boss Denies Succession Deal
FIFA President Joseph Blatter yesterday denied reports of a deal that would see his rival, UEFA boss Michel Platini, succeed him as the world football ruling body’s supremo.
Tidesports source quoted unnamed sources saying Blatter would not seek re-election in 2015, as part of a deal to clear the way for the head of Europe’s football ruling body.
“I don’t make deals. The FIFA president is elected by the congress,’’ Blatter said..
The allegation had also said Platini would refrain from making further comments about running for the FIFA spot until after the 2014 World Cup.
Blatter and Platini would then announce their decision after the tournament in Brazil, the newspaper said.
Platini is considered the only realistic challenger to a Blatter re-election.
UEFA did not want to comment on the Bild report.
Blatter, who has been in office since 1998, said in 2011 that he would not seek re-election but wanted to leave all options open in light of the reform in the scandal-hit world body.
The FIFA Congress is due to elect a president in 2015 in Zurich.
Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt contingent, comprising players, technical crew, backroom staff, and officials, depart the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos State on Wednesday, bound for Kinshasa, DR Congo.
The team is set to face FC Les Aigles du Congo in the first-round first-leg match of the CAF Champions League.
This was contained in a press release signed by the media officer of the club, Charles Mayuku and made available to Tidesports on Wednesday.
He said that the highly anticipated match is scheduled to take place at the 80,000-capacity Kinshasa-Complexe Omnisports Stade des Martyrs on morrow with kickoff slated for 3:30pm.
According to the statement the encounter marks the first-ever meeting between both sides in any competition, adding that an air of excitement and unpredictability to the fixture.
“As the Pride of Nigeria embarks on this crucial journey, the team is determined to return with a decent result that will set them up favorably for the second leg on Sunday, 28th September” the statement said.
The new rankings, released via FIFA’s official X handle on Thursday, reflect the team’s continued struggles under Coach Eric Chelle amid a stuttering 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
This marks a second consecutive decline after the Nigerian side dropped from 43rd to 44th in August on the back of poor outings in recent international matches.
Despite Nigeria’s setback, several African teams made progress. Morocco remains the continent’s highest-ranked side, sitting 11th in the world after winning eight of their last nine matches. Senegal, Egypt, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire complete Africa’s top five.
Lesotho slipped to 153rd place, while Benin Republic, Nigeria’s upcoming opponent, climbed to 93rd. South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, who held the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw in June, rose to 55th, strengthening their bid for World Cup qualification.
Zimbabwe had the biggest slide down the ranking table, dropping nine places to 125th position in the world.
The rankings highlight Nigeria’s struggle to regain form on the global stage as key rivals continue to surge ahead.
Similarly, the Super Falcons of Nigeria remain 36th best in the world], while the Spanish female national team replaced the USA at the top of the women’s ranking.
-
Sports16 hours ago
FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa
-
Sports16 hours ago
NPFL club name Iorfa new GM
-
Sports16 hours ago
NNL abolishes playoffs for NPFL promotion
-
Sports16 hours ago
CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo
-
Sports16 hours ago
Kwara Hopeful To Host Confed Cup in Ilorin
-
Sports16 hours ago
NSF: Early preparations begin for 2026 National Sports Festival
-
Sports16 hours ago
RSG Award Renovation Work At Yakubu Gowon Stadium
-
Sports15 hours ago
RSG Pledges To Develop Baseball