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2026 World Cup Race: Osimhen’s double rejuvenates Nigeria’s campaign as he chases Yekini

 

Forward Victor Osimhen, who had not played any part in the campaign previously, rose stoutly to the occasion and boldly revamped Nigeria’s campaign for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

 

The Super Eagles’ 2-0 win over Amavubi in Kigali on Friday did not take them to the top of group C of the African series, but it planted them back as one of the contenders in a pool in which they inexplicably fluffed nine of a possible 12 in their previous four matches. Turkish-based 2023 Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen played no part in any of those matches, for reasons of injury. Now, they have gone to six points, only four away from top-placed South Africa, who defeated Lesotho in a game played simultaneously as the one in Kigali.

 

On his first run-out in the campaign, it took Osimhen only 10 minutes to make a mark. Nigeria were awarded a free-kick on the left side of Rwanda’s area, and Ademola Lookman heaved it into the box where three white shirts were lurking. The best-placed of them, Osimhen, connected brilliantly and there was no attempt from goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.

 

Six months ago, Ntwari was the hero as he denied the Eagles on so many occasions, with their 2025 AFCON qualifying match at the same venue ending scoreless. As Osimhen wheeled away in celebration, the full house inside the magnificent Amahoro Stadium, who had sung and clapped endlessly for three hours, fell silent.

 

Nigeria continued to dominate. Three minutes later, captain William Ekong headed over from Lookman’s corner, and in the 24th minute, France-based Simon Moses came close with an angled shot that Fiacre saw in good time and pushed over the sticks.

 

Two minutes into added time of the first period, Osimhen got his second. The Amavubi had launched another futile onslaught, and in a furious counter, Samuel Chukwueze headed the ball cleverly to beat the rearguard and set up Osimhen, who easily beat his marker and raced away, chipping the ball past a hapless Fiacre.

 

The three-time African champions spent the second half simply ensuring they controlled the pace of the game, as they look ahead to Tuesday’s home game against Zimbabwe on Day 6 of the qualification series.

 

In the event, Osimhen rose above Olusegun Odegbami in the number of goals for Nigeria: he now has 25 in 48 matches, making him second only to Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) who netted 37 goals in 58 matches. Odegbami had 23, while Yakubu Ayegbeni scored 21 and Ikechukwu Uche and Obafemi Martins scored 19 and 18 goals each.

 

The Super Eagles contingent will fly out of Kigali to Uyo on Saturday morning.

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U-13 JOF Kids Cup: B.Unit Boys To Battle Versity Boys In Final

All roads lead to the Sports Centre of the University of Lagos in Akoka, Yaba, Lagos as the final ceremony of the 5th edition of JOF U-13 Cup

 

Finalists have emerged in the ongoing 6th edition of the U-13 JOF Kids Cup Championship.

After gruelling two semi final crackers on Saturday at the Ojo Oniyun playground in Ebute Metta, Lagos, B. Unit Boys of Lagos Island and Versity Boys also from Lagos Island will slug it for the star prize on Sunday 27 April 2025.

The two finalists indeed justified their places in the final judging from their performance since the first blast of whistle in the grassroots football tournament a few weeks ago.

It was not surprising, however, to see B.Unit Boys triumph over Strong Dove of Orile after they both played 2-2 in the regulation time. The penalty shootouts ended 4-2i n favout of the winners.

Versity Boys on the hand beat First Class Boys 3-1 to book a ticket in the final.

The third place match will see Strong Dove taking on First Class Boys.

The U-13 JOF Kids Cup Tournament is organised by the Lagos State Grassroots Football Association and sponsored by JOF Nigeria Limited, a wholly indigenous Nigerian company, which prides itself in the development of talent of the Nigerian youth.

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NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko to Declare Niger Delta Sports Festival Open, as Commission Backs Initiative

 

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has thrown its full support behind the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF), recognizing the event as a significant platform for discovering and nurturing emerging sporting talent.

The Chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko, will officially declare the festival open, underscoring the Commission’s commitment to promoting grassroots sports development across every region in Nigeria.

Speaking ahead of the Festival, Bukola Olopade, Director General of the NSC, praised the initiative and called on more states to adopt similar programs to expand Nigeria’s talent pool.

“The Niger Delta Sports Festival represents a vital platform for discovering and nurturing raw talent,” Olopade stated.

“We encourage more states to adopt similar initiatives to expand the talent pool and strengthen Nigeria’s sporting future.”

In a major boost for the event, the NDSF on Friday unveiled PremiumTrust Bank as the official bank of the festival.

The event is scheduled to take place from April 1 to 8 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, bringing together athletes from across the region to compete in various sporting disciplines.

The Niger Delta Sports Festival aims to showcase budding talents, foster regional unity, and promote youth engagement in sports.

 

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JOF Kids Cup: Strong Dove, B. Unit Boys, Versity Boys, First Class Boys Lock Horns In Saturday’s Semi Finals 

JOF U-13 Cup: Teams Battle For Final Tickets

 

The battles from the final tickets among the last set of four teams of the ongoing 6th U-13 JOF Kids Cup now shifted to Ojo Oniyun playground, Ebute Metta, Lagos on Saturday.

This is coming after the Round of 8 matches were decided at the Lekki playground and Ojo Oniyun playground on Wednesday.

Strong Dove of Orile beat Miracle FC of Ijesha 1-0 to book a place in the semi finals, while B. Unit Boys from Mainland stopped Oloto Babes in tension-soaked tie that ended 3-2 at Lekki playground.

Versity Boys of Lagos Island ran away victory with 4-3 goals during the penalty shootouts after they had played a 1-1 game in the regulation time against ThankGod Boys of Oko Baba, while First Class Boys from Lagos Island beat Solution Boys 4-2.

According to the semi final fixtures released to the media by organisers, Lagos State Football Association, Strong Dove will settle scores against B. Unit Boys in the first semi-final tie, which kicks off by 12 noon, while Versity Boys will go to war against First Class Boys in the second semi final game on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ojo Oniyun playground, Ebute Metta will be agog on Saturday with more spectators expected to watch the matches than any other day since the tournament began a few weeks ago.

The Lagos State Football Association, the joint organisers of the competition, has invited members of the JOF Under-13 Soccer Tournament Committee to watch the kids displaying their God-given talent on the field of play.

The U-13 JOF Kids Cup is sponsored by JOF Nigeria Limited, a wholly indigenous Nigerian company, which prides itself in the development of talent of the Nigerian youth.

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