Nigeria Premier League

Everything to know about FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will serve as the first WC to be co-hosted by two countries, as well as the first to feature 32 teams.

The highly-anticipated top-most professional football tournament organised by FIFA, contested by senior women’s national football teams, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is all set to begin on July 20 and will run until August 20, 2023.

The tournament, which is held every four years, will be this time hosted by Australia and New Zealand. This will serve as the first FIFA Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by two countries, as well as the first to feature 32 teams. Due to the tremendous recent development of the global women’s game, this is twice as many as the 2011 event and eight more than in 2019.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup is now in its ninth year. Half of the previous editions have been won by the United States (1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019).

Moreover, Germany has won twice (2003 and 2007), while Japan (2011) and Norway (1995) have also prevailed once.

It is expected to be the most attended solitary women’s athletic event in history, with over one million tickets already sold, as well as one of the largest worldwide sporting tournaments. The opening matches will be between New Zealand and Norway at Eden Park, Auckland, and Australia’s match against the Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia. Matches will be held in nine host cities and ten venues.

The format calls for 32 teams to be grouped into eight groups of four teams each. In a round-robin style, every team will play the other team in their group once. Each group’s top two teams will make it to the Round of 16. The knockout rounds also comprise four quarter-finals, two semi-finals, and then the epic final.

Source – sportsmintmedia

Nigeria Premier League

Ogunmodede reflects on Emo Stars’ win over Abia Warriors

Emo Stars technical adviser Daniel Ogunmodede admitted his side was fortunate to secure a 3-2 victory over Abia Warriors in Ikenne on Wednesday.

Abia Warriors took a 2-0 lead in the first half, with goals from Ayodele Eziekel and Anthony Ijoma. However, Emo Stars responded with three goals from Olamilekan Adebayo, Jabbar Malik, and Franck Mawuena to clinch the win.

Ogunmodede acknowledged that his team had underestimated their opponents but managed to turn things around. “The game was tense and shocking in the first half on our home ground. Not every time you will be lucky against a great team we played against,” he said in the post-match interview.

“We underestimated the qualities of our opponent, and we were punished for it. But luckily, we identified the problem and readjusted to get the victory.”

Emo Stars will now aim to build on this win as they continue their campaign

Nigeria Premier League

Kano Pillars eye maximum points in midweek showdown with Ikorodu City

Kano Pillars are determined to secure all three points in their upcoming fixture against Ikorodu City in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The Sai Masu Gida will face Ikorodu City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Wednesday.

Usman Abdallah’s side is upbeat and focused ahead of the match, with the players in high spirits.

“Done and dusted with the shake-ups ahead of our NPFL25 Matchday 21 clash against Ikorodu City this Wednesday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos,” Kano Pillars wrote on X.

“The boys are in high spirits and determined to secure maximum points as we aim to continue our impressive run this season.”

Kano Pillars currently sit in eighth place on the league table with 28 points.

Nigeria Premier League

Brown Ideye criticizes NPFL standards, calls for major improvements

Enyimba striker Brown Ideye has expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), stating that significant improvements are needed to elevate its standard.

Ideye, who rejoined the league in December 2024 after signing for Enyimba, has made appearances in both NPFL and CAF Confederation Cup matches, scoring two goals so far.

Sharing his thoughts following Enyimba’s 2-0 defeat to Kwara United in a rescheduled matchday 16 fixture in Ilorin, Ideye voiced concerns about the league’s challenges.

“The system is getting worse; the league is not improving. I feel like we have a long way to go,” Ideye remarked during an interview.

Despite enjoying his time at Enyimba, the former West Brom striker emphasized that much remains to be addressed in the league.

“My time at Enyimba has been wonderful, but there are a lot of things in the league that need improvement and haven’t changed yet,” he added.

On the poor performances of Nigerian clubs in CAF competitions, Ideye highlighted critical areas requiring attention.

“In terms of traveling, feeding, hotel accommodations, and player relaxation — it’s all bad. Nigerians are not ready for continental competitions. We need to put our house in order before going there, instead of embarrassing ourselves.”