Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, have emerged as Nigeria’s highest-rated players in EA Sports FC 27, both handed an identical 85 overall rating in the game’s official list.

According to the ratings, ten Nigerian players are rated 78 overall or higher, reflecting a strong mix of attacking talent, midfield quality, defensive strength and goalkeeping experience across both the men’s and women’s national teams.

Nnadozie, who has built a strong reputation in European football and established herself as one of Africa’s leading goalkeepers, shares the top rating with Osimhen, whose spells in France, Germany, Italy and Turkey, including a Serie A title and the 2022/2023 Serie A Golden Boot with Napoli, have made him one of the continent’s most feared forwards.

Ademola Lookman, rated 83 overall, whose hat-trick for Atalanta in the 2024 Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen made him the first player to score three goals in a Europa League final, also features prominently among the leading names, just behind the two top-rated players, alongside Super Falcons stars Rasheedat Ajibade, Jennifer Echegini and Gift Monday, and Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi.

Ajibade, rated 81 overall, has built a strong reputation as an attacking midfielder in Europe and leads that group, while Iwobi, Echegini and Monday sit level on 80 overall.

Other Nigeria internationals recognised in the ratings include Ola Aina, on 79 overall, and Calvin Bassey, Raphael Onyedika, Samuel Chukwueze and Nathan Tella, who are all rated 78 overall.

The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University (RSU), Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, has congratulated the Port Harcourt Arsenal community for the successful hosting of the Nigeria Arsenal Converge 2026 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Prof. Zeb-Obipi gave the commendation on Sunday, shortly after he received an award for “Outstanding Supporter of the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community” at Ediz Wine Bar in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He expressed satisfaction with the turnout for the program, which included a sanitation exercise at One Market, fun games at RSU, and a Community Shield watch party.

“The anniversary will run from Friday to Saturday, and Sunday, of course, we won the Community Shield,” he said.

“I am very grateful. I want to congratulate all of us for winning the Community Shield today.

“Today’s victory speaks to our supremacy over other clubs in the Premier League for winning the Community Shield,” Zeb-Obipi said.

He thanked the leadership of the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community for finding him worthy of the award.

He explained that he will continue to identify with the Arsenal community, adding that the community provides an opportunity for members to interact regardless of their status.

“That is the beauty of sports, the ability for us to network, to share joy, and of course, to derive the benefit and peace that football brings,” he said.

“I am very proud to be an Arsenal fan,” he stated.

By Kiadum Edookor

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has announced that Nigeria’s Women’s Beach Volleyball team will be immediately integrated into the training grant programme of the Elite and Podium Board following their historic qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Hon. Olopade made this known while congratulating the team for securing Africa’s sole qualification ticket to the 2028 Olympic Games after a dominant performance at the African Beach Volleyball Championship in Alexandria, Egypt.

Esther Onyinye Mbah and Pamela Miyoum Bawa made history by defeating Morocco 2-0 in the final to claim the continental title and book Nigeria’s place at the Olympic Games.

The qualification represents another major milestone for Nigerian sports and, according to Hon. Olopade, further demonstrates the impact of the country’s growing sports ecosystem and the ongoing reforms aimed at ensuring that every sport has the opportunity to thrive and compete at the highest level.

“On behalf of the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, I want to commend the progressive impact the board of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation has been making, both with the domestic league and the national teams,” Hon. Olopade said.

“The Nigeria Women’s Beach Volleyball team has been making giant strides in recent times, and the NSC is determined to ensure the team receives the highest level of high-performance preparation ahead of the Olympic Games.”

“This is why we are immediately integrating the team into our Elite and Podium Board programme so that the players can begin to benefit from the athletes’ training grants that we instituted last year.”

The Nigerian pair produced an impressive run through the championship, overcoming host Egypt in the Round of 16 before defeating Morocco twice, first in the quarterfinals and again in the final, to emerge African champions.

The achievement marks Nigeria’s return to the Olympic Beach Volleyball competition and provides the team with a significant runway to prepare for Los Angeles 2028 under the support structure of the National Sports Commission’s high-performance programme.

The NSC said the immediate integration of the athletes into the Elite and Podium Board training grant programme is part of its commitment to identifying, supporting and rewarding athletes and teams demonstrating the potential to deliver success for Nigeria on the global stage.