Nigeria Premier League

Commonwealth Games 2026 in doubt after Victoria cancels plans to host

The future of one of the world’s premiere sporting events has been thrown into chaos after the Australian state of Victoria announced it has cancelled its plans to host The Commonwealth Games in 2026.

It comes just more than a year after organisers struggled to find hosts for the competition before Victoria volunteered in April 2022.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed that the state has informed The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) of its decision to terminate the contract and that productive meetings were held on Monday night. Further talks are expected to take place on Tuesday.

The decision has not gone down well with the CGF, which has described the move as “hugely disappointing” and are “committed to finding a solution”. Victoria officials have blamed budget concerns with estimates revealing costs have tripled to at least A$6 billion.

The Commonwealth Games has only ever been cancelled once previously and that was during the Second World War.

This is not the first time the future of the Games was up in the air after Durban was stripped of its hosting rights in 2022 as the South African city failed to meet project deadlines. The event was later awarded to Birmingham, which turned out to be an outstanding success.

The main concern Andrews has raised in regards to the future of the sporting event was the cost of hosting skyrocketing above their early estimates. Plans initially forecast that The Commonwealth Games hosted across cities including Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat would cost A$2.6 billion and the Federal Government would foot the bill – however the 12-day tournament is now expected to cost more than A$6 billion.

Andrews said the new figures are “more than twice the estimated economic benefit” it would bring to Victoria and that it became no longer financially viable for the Australian state to continue its plans.

Talking to reporters on Tuesday (18 July), he explained: “I can’t stand here with any confidence that the $7 billion dollars could fund these games, it could be more than that. The sum is well and truly too much for a 12-day sporting event.

“I will not take money out of hospitals and schools in order to fund an event that is three times the cost that was estimated and budgeted for last year. We don’t just make popular decisions, we do what’s right and it would simply be wrong.”

The Victoria Premier blamed factors such as security, transport and other logistical services for the rising costs.

Jeroen Weimar, chief executive of Victoria’s organising committee, said the decision to axe the 2024 Commonwealth Games is “disappointing” but that the rising costs made it no longer viable.

The Federal Government had budgeted A$2.6 billion for the event, but in its budget published in May it included more than A$1 billion to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games and no contribution to the 2026 Commonwealth Games. It is expected that the legacy benefits of the event will still be delivered with a regional package worth over $2 billion to build the permanent sporting facilities in the state.

Victoria has become overwhelmed in debt thanks to borrowing huge sums for infrastructure projects and facing the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. The state’s debt is expected to surge even further, by almost A$40 billion to about A$170 billion in four years.

What has the CGF said about the decision?
In a statement released on Tuesday, the CGF admitted that it felt blindsided by the news of Victoria stepping away from its 2026 Commonwealth Games hosting duties and that the rising costs suggested are a “gross exaggeration”.

The CGF said: “Since awarding Victoria the Games, the government has made decisions to include more sports and an additional regional hub, and changed plans for venues, all of which have added considerable expense, often against the advice of the CGF and Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA). We are disappointed that we were only given eight hours’ notice and that no consideration was given to discussing the situation to jointly find solutions prior to this decision being reached by the government.

“Up until this point, the government had advised that sufficient funding was available to deliver the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.”

The Commonwealth Games Australia’s chief executive Craig Phillips added: “The stated costs overrun, in our opinion, are a gross exaggeration and not reflective of the operational costs presented to the Victoria 2026 Organising Committee board as recently as June.”

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Nigeria Premier League

NPFL 2025/26 Season Set To Kick Off

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is gearing up for another exciting season as top clubs across the country resume pre-season activities ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. With the official kickoff set for Friday, August 22, 2025, anticipation is building among fans, pundits, and players who are eager to see how the new season unfolds.

Enyimba FC, one of the most successful clubs in the league’s history, resumed training on June 20 at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba. The team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing sixth-place finish last season, which saw them miss out on continental football. According to the club’s Sporting Director, Ifeanyi Ekwueme, all players and officials were instructed to report on schedule as preparations intensify for the new campaign.

Rivers United also returned to camp under the guidance of newly appointed Technical Manager Finidi George. Twenty-five players reported to the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, where they were welcomed by Finidi and his technical crew. Rivers United, who finished second in the 2024/25 season, will compete in the CAF Champions League alongside NPFL champions Remo Stars. The team is expected to play several friendly matches as part of its build-up to the season.

Abia Warriors, another top-performing side last season, have launched their own pre-season program. Having secured third place, the Umuahia-based club will be making its debut in the CAF Confederation Cup. Coach Imama Amapakabo is leading the first phase of training with the current squad while awaiting the arrival of new signings. Nigeria’s fourth continental slot will be decided in the final of the President Federation Cup between Kwara United and Abakaliki FC.

As clubs finalize their preparations, conversations around Nigeria Premier League predictions are beginning to surface among fans and analysts. Unlike European leagues where form guides can often be predictable, the NPFL is widely known for its volatility. Home advantage plays a significant role, and away victories are often hard-fought. This makes the league a compelling subject for fans who enjoy forecasting match outcomes and tracking shifts in form. Interest in predictions has grown significantly in recent years, with platforms like BetsLoaded.com offering detailed previews, statistical breakdowns, and weekly match tips to help fans make more informed calls.

What sets the NPFL apart is its intense regional rivalries and passionate fan bases. From the Oriental Derby between Enyimba and Rangers International to North Central clashes involving Lobi Stars, the energy and unpredictability of matchdays keep the league dynamic. This unpredictability also contributes to the growing demand for reliable NPFL betting tips, as more Nigerian fans seek analysis that goes beyond surface-level commentary.

With the new season approaching, clubs will be fine-tuning their squads while fans gear up for what promises to be a fiercely contested title race. Whether it’s Remo Stars defending their title or underdogs pushing for a surprise finish, this season is shaping up to be one of the most engaging in recent years. For supporters eager to follow the action closely and gain a sharper insight into the game, the role of predictions will no doubt be more relevant than ever.

The NPFL is not just a football league; it’s a movement that continues to evolve. As attention grows and coverage expands, the blend of tradition, talent, and analysis is helping to elevate the league’s profile both at home and across the continent.

Scorenigeria.com.ng

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Nigeria Premier League

“It’s My Time,” Says Ikorodu City Star After Eagles Snub

Ikorodu City star Waliu Ojetoye has expressed optimism that he will break into the Super Eagles and become a regular, according to Soccernet.ng.

Ojetoye is coming off a brilliant campaign with Ikorodu United in the Nigeria Premier Football League. The 20-year-old was arguably the best left-back in the Nigerian top-flight last season, with a league-high nine assists.

He was key to Ikorodu City finishing 4th on the NPFL table after a very poor start to the campaign.

Ojetoye’s brilliance not only earned him a place in Nigeria’s CHAN Eagles. He was also named in Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles squad for the 2025 Unity Cup four weeks ago.

Unfortunately for him, the Ikorodu City man did not get minutes at the competition. Ojetoye was named on the bench in the first game against Ghana. But he did not even make the matchday squad for the final against Jamaica.

However, despite the disappointment, Ojetoye has expressed optimism that he will get game time with the Super Eagles eventually.

“I had a very nice experience in the Super Eagles team. It was a different exposure for me,” Ojetoye told ACL Sports.

“I was not disappointed not getting any minutes on the pitch because I know my time will come. Things are being done gradually, so I don’t need to jump into it. I believe that when it’s my time, I will play and give it my best.”

Ojetoye is currently on break. But it might be a busy holiday for him, as there have been speculations that he will leave Ikorodu City soon.

The Ikorodu City star is still young, at 21. If he continues to work on his game, he could get a move that will consistently put him in the eyes of the Super Eagles coaches.

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Nigeria Premier League

Ogunmodede: Global Club Cup Too Soon For Nigerian Teams

Remo Stars head coach Daniel Ogunmodede has issued a realistic assessment of Nigerian football’s place on the global stage, saying it may take between five to ten years for Nigerian clubs to reach the level required to compete at major international tournaments such as the FIFA Club World Cup.

Speaking after guiding Remo Stars to their first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title, Ogunmodede praised his players’ efforts but stressed that significant structural and developmental reforms are necessary if Nigerian clubs are to thrive internationally.

“Winning the league is a step in the right direction, but we are still far behind the elite clubs,” he said. “If we want to get to the level of the Club World Cup, it will take five to ten years of consistent planning and execution.”

He cited key areas requiring improvement, including youth development, infrastructure, coaching education, and management professionalism. “We need to go back to the drawing board. The gap in fitness, tactics, and match exposure is wide. It’s not impossible, but we must be deliberate,” Ogunmodede added.

As NPFL champions, Remo Stars will represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League next season. The club’s rapid rise has been one of the most talked-about stories in Nigerian football, but Ogunmodede insists that more systemic changes are needed beyond domestic success. “It’s not about one club. For Nigerian football to grow, all clubs must invest in structures that develop talent sustainably,” he said.

He also called on the League Management Company (LMC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to prioritize long-term reforms. “If we want to compete with the likes of Al Ahly, Wydad, or even clubs from Asia and South America, we must modernize.”

The FIFA Club World Cup expands in 2025, and no Nigerian team has qualified to date.

Sports247.ng

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