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Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou fight date set as boxer takes on MMA star

Tyson Fury confirms he got an offer from UFC to fight Jon Jones in a hybrid setting
Ever since Francis Ngannou jumped on the ring to face-off Tyson Fury, the entire world of combat sports started savoring the moment these two closed a deal to fight. We had no idea if any of them would agree to fight each other but there were some clues sprinkled around.

Ngannou left the UFC precisely to get chances like this one because Dana White wouldn’t allow him to do anything outside of the company.

Ngannou felt he deserved far more money and benefits than what Dana White was offering and he decided to bounce. After he signed a new contract with the PFL, the stage was set to seal the deal on a fight that could chance the combat sports landscape for good

After literally ducking several opponents due to money disagreements, Tyson Fury finally got around to close a deal to fight Ngannou. He got to convince the former UFC champion to get inside the ring with him and potentially get an easy win against a non-boxer.

The fight is reportedly taking place on October 28 and it will happen in Saudi Arabia. The announcement was made by combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani and there is a set of rules both fighters will need to follow. Given that this fight will be outside of the traditional boxing circuit, there will be 3 judges ring-side adopting the 10-point must system. But the fight won’t be an exhibition only as both sides promised to go out and try to knock each other out

Promotion banners Queensberry, Top Rank, and GIMIK Fight Promotions were the ones that reached an agreement to make this fight happen.

Before this announcement took place, Tyson Fury responded to allegations from Oleksandr Usyk’s camp that he should be stripped of his WBC Heavyweight title if he fought Ngannou next. The WBC didn’t have a mandatory fight for him to keep the division active because they were waiting for a proper opponent to materialize.

Given that he couldn’t reach agreements with any other heavyweight, Tyson Fury does seem like he is taking the easy road once again. Maybe those head punches he suffered against Deontay Wilder were more serious than people initially thought.

Ngannou is one of the best MMA fighters in the world but boxing Fury is literally getting into a lion’s den.

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Nigeria Premier League

NPFL Needs Total Overhaul, Says Musa After Eyeing CWC

NPFL Needs Total Overhaul, Says Musa After Eyeing CWC

Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), stressing the urgent need for reforms in league organization, club structure, and officiating standards.

In a post shared on his official Facebook page, Musa expressed admiration for the African clubs currently participating in the FIFA Club World Cup, describing the tournament as both exciting and financially rewarding.

However, he used the opportunity to draw a stark contrast between the global stage and the state of Nigeria’s domestic league as the Competition features no teams from Nigeria.

“I have been following the FIFA Club World Cup, and my focus has been on the African clubs in the tournament. Apart from the excitement, the tournament is a money-spinner for the African clubs,” Musa wrote.

“It’s a sober reflection if we compare the African Clubs at the Club World Cup to our domestic league, the Nigeria Premier Football League. Can we compete at this level? What are we not getting right?”

The former CSKA Moscow and Al Nassr forward called for a deliberate review of the NPFL’s framework, noting that talent alone is not enough to thrive in the modern football environment.

“We need to review the organization of the League, clubs’ structure, and funding. We need to set out new policies and drive the reforms. The NPFL is not lacking in potential, our football has got an abundance of talent and potential from the grassroots to the elite level, but these factors aren’t enough in a modern football system.”

Musa emphasised the need for collective commitment among stakeholders to elevate Nigerian football to global standards, both on and off the pitch.

“We must collectively decide to make our football work which will ensure that our clubs compete at the continental and world level.”

The NPFL star also questioned the current state of officiating in the country, highlighting the absence of Nigerian referees in CAF and FIFA tournaments.

“What about the referees and officiating? Other African countries are producing referees for CAF and FIFA tournaments, but what do we have here?”

He concluded his post with a note of support for the African representatives at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup, wishing them success in the global competition.

Musa’s remarks have already sparked conversations across the football community, with many echoing his concerns and calling for urgent steps to revive the fortunes of Nigeria’s top-flight league.

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Nigeria Premier League

Akwa Ibom Commissioner Dissolves State Football Club Boards

Akwa Ibom Commissioner Dissolves State Football Club Boards

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, has announced the immediate dissolution of the management teams of the four state-owned football clubs following the conclusion of the 2024/25 Nigeria Football League season.

The affected clubs are Akwa United FC, Dakkada FC, Ibom Angels FC, and Ibom Youth FC—all fully funded by the Akwa Ibom State Government.

Elder Bassey made the announcement during a meeting held in Uyo with representatives of the four clubs.

He directed the chairmen and secretaries of each club to submit their handover notes to the Ministry of Sports within two weeks.

According to the commissioner, the decision is in line with the state’s broader plan to reposition sports and elevate performance levels across all sporting fronts, in alignment with Governor Umo Eno’s Arise Agenda.

“A new management structure will be announced soon to commence preparations for the upcoming football season,” Bassey stated, adding that the dissolution marks the beginning of a renewed vision for sports excellence in the state.

He expressed appreciation to the outgoing officials for their service and contributions to the growth of football in the state, wishing them well in their future endeavours.

In his reaction, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, Mr. Samuel Umoh, acknowledged that the just concluded football season was challenging for all four teams. He applauded the commissioner’s decision as a timely move to reposition the clubs for future success.

Representatives of the clubs—Elder Omon Bassey (Akwa United), Coach Aniedi Dickson (Dakkada), Coach Edwin Okon (Ibom Angels), and Coach Lawrence Iquaibom (Ibom Youth)—thanked the commissioner for the opportunity to serve and pledged their continued support for football and sports development in Akwa Ibom State.

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Nigeria Premier League

Commissioner Inspects Lafia Stadium, Assures NPFL Standards

Commissioner Inspects Lafia Stadium, Assures NPFL Standards

In a decisive move to ensure compliance with Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) requirements ahead of the 2025/26 season, the Nasarawa State Government, on Monday, commenced a comprehensive inspection and evaluation of facilities at the Lafia City Stadium.

Led by the State’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, a high-powered delegation comprising government officials, engineers, and stadium experts assessed the readiness of the stadium, which serves as home ground to Nasarawa United and Nasarawa Amazons.

The inspection comes on the heels of the NPFL Board’s June 3rd directive mandating all participating clubs to upgrade stadium facilities to meet modern football standards. Among the key requirements are the installation of standard LED floodlights for night matches, a functional backup generator, perimeter fencing, improved changing rooms, emergency exit routes, and a quality-approved playing turf.

Speaking after the facility tour, Hon. Yakubu reiterated the commitment of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration to meeting the NPFL’s expectations before the new season kicks off on August 22, 2025.

> “We’ve identified key areas for immediate improvement,” said Yakubu. “We’ll begin installing new floodlights, refurbishing changing rooms, replacing damaged turf, and improving emergency response infrastructure. Governor Sule’s passion for sports is unwavering, and we won’t let our teams play home matches away from Lafia again.”

Nasarawa United FC Chairman, Solomon Babanjah, lauded the state government’s swift response, describing the move as a significant morale booster for both Nasarawa United and the Nasarawa Amazons.

> “This will change the psychology of our teams,” Babanjah said. “Playing at home, in front of our fans, on a well-equipped pitch, gives us the confidence and environment we need to compete at the highest level.”

The inspection also holds strategic importance as Lafia is set to host the prestigious Gusau/Ahlan Cup Preseason Tournament, a major curtain-raiser for the Nigerian football calendar.

Key stakeholders on the inspection team included Permanent Secretary Dr. Ibrahim Adamu Alhassan, Director of Facilities Ahmad Yusuf, and Nasarawa FA Chairman Salisu Galadima ‘Basira’.

With the 2025/26 season fast approaching, and Nasarawa United aiming to build on their 12th-place finish in the just-concluded season—highlighted by striker Anas Yusuf finishing as league top scorer with 18 goals—the state’s infrastructural push may well be the game-changer the club needs.

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