Nigerian broadcasting icon, Dr. Nasir Danladi Bako has praised the Nigeria Football Federation for settling for former international and ex-Enyimba FC strategist Finidi George as Head Coach of the Super Eagles.

The Kogunan Sakwatto, 66, who created a plethora of famous TV programmes including Morning Ride, Mastersports and Second Chance, among others, and served as Special Adviser to a number of Sports Ministers many years ago, insisted the NFF leadership struck a bull’s eye with the appointment of the two-time FIFA World Cup star, stating that George oozes class and character, and an iron determination to succeed despite his public carapace of a quiet person.

“Finidi George has that cultured, disciplined mien and personality that makes you want to trust him with a big project. He understands the meaning of constituted authority and right from his playing days, has always displayed the attribute of a team player. He has always had that calm, collected nature even in the face of pressure or danger.

“Above all, he is not someone who thinks he is doing the nation a favour. He is grateful for the opportunity and I believe that he has all it takes to succeed. I am calling on the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, the NFF and Nigerians as a whole to support him to take the Super Eagles to brand-new heights.”

Bako, who holds a doctorate degree in development communication from the Ahmadu Bello University and was Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission between 1999 and 2002, says all hands must now be on deck to ensure victories in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic on 7 June and 11 June respectively.

“No doubt, the NFF got this one appointment right. Very much on point. Now, they should endeavour to give George all the support he needs to succeed in his task of qualifying Nigeria for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”

Arsenal women will use Emirates Stadium as their main home ground from the start of next season’s Women’s Super League.

The north London venue will stage eight WSL matches and three group games in the Women’s Champions League if Arsenal reach that stage.

Should Arsenal progress to the knockout stages of the European competition, those matches would also be played at the Emirates, the club announced on Tuesday.

The WSL team’s other matches, including domestic cup games, will be played at Meadow Park, which has been their longstanding home.

Arsenal recorded an average attendance of 52,029, which included two sell-outs and three WSL attendance records, across six women’s matches at the 60,704-capacity Emirates Stadium this season.

Arsenal sporting director Edu said: “There’s great passion for our women’s team right across our club.

Kylian Mbappe has been named as France’s player of the year. Mbappe won the award in a ceremony held in Paris, France on Monday.

This is even as he comes to the end of his seven-season stay with Paris Saint-Germain.

In a statement on the Football club’s site, Mbappe, is said to have won as Ligue 1 Player of the Season at the UNFP (French players union) trophies gala.

The club took home a total of 15 awards, it said.

“Paris Saint-Germain also pulled off another Player of the Season double, with Kylian Mbappe winning the award on the men’s side,” the club said.

“Having been named as the Ligue 1 Player of the Season in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023, the 25-year-old striker wins the award for a fifth time,” it said.

According to the statement by the Club, he becomes the first player to pick up the honour on five separate occasions.

“In a row after a season, he has scored 44 goals in all competitions for PSG,” it said.

Speaking after the awards on NDTV, Mbappe said he will leave PSG at the end of the campaign when his contract expires, with Real Madrid expected to be his next destination.

“It is a page that is turning, a chapter of my life that is going to close,” Mbappe said.

Mbappe said that Ligue 1 will always have an important place in his life and It is the only league he has known in his career up to date.

“I will miss it for sure. It is a part of my life that is coming to an end. What is coming next is very exciting but that is something else.” Mbappe told NDTV.