Sports
Libyan Authorities Finally Responded To Super Eagles Ordeal, Issues official Statement
In response to the difficulties the Nigerian Super Eagles encountered in their nation, the Libya Football Federation (LFF) has finally taken action. Remember that the Nigerian Super Eagles left for Libya on Sunday afternoon in preparation for their Tuesday match? Nevertheless, a regrettable development has left the players and their squad stranded in a Libyan airport for over fifteen hours without food or assistance.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Reports by Naija News revealed that the NFF arranged for transportation by road to the match location upon their arrival in the country since the Libyan officials were unable to accompany them. unfortunately, the officials at the airport prevented the chartered bus from entering.
Reacting to the recent development, The Libya Football Federation (LFF), through an official statement published on their X (formerly Twitter) account, clarified that there was no intentional effort to hinder the Nigerian team.
According to detailed reports from Channels Television, the statements reads, “The recent reports regarding the diversion of the Nigerian national team’s flight ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya deeply concern us,” the statement said.
“Although we apologize for any inconvenience, it is important to remember that these kinds of occurrences might happen as a result of standard air traffic control procedures, security inspections, or logistical issues that impact international flight travel.
Although regrettable, delays or rerouting are commonplace at airports across the world, and these are regular processes. Our Nigerian peers are highly respected, and we would like to reassure them that the airplane was not purposefully diverted.
“Neither the Libyan Football Federation nor the Libyan security forces have any reason to be accused of purposefully arranging this tragedy. Such behaviors are
“We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation. It is important to highlight that just last week, our own national team faced significant challenges upon our arrival in Nigeria for the third match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
“Despite the difficulties we encountered, we did not make public accusations nor question the integrity of the Nigerian authorities. Football, in its essence, unites nations, and we are committed to upholding the spirit of fairness and mutual respect both on and off the field.”
“We in Libya take great pride in our warmth and friendliness. Treating all visiting teams with the decency and respect they merit—including our African brothers and other international delegations—has always been a top priority for us.
It is a huge honor for us to host these events, and we work hard to make sure that every team feels valued and protected as our visitors. A fundamental component of our culture and heritage is our dedication to equality and hospitality.
“We hope that goodwill and understanding will be able to settle this misunderstanding. We continue to promote the spirit of unity, sportsmanship, and friendship in the world of football, and our doors are open to our Nigerian brothers and all African teams.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Sports
BREAKING SPORTS: FIFA Releases Last Ranking For National Teams In 2024, See Top Ten In Africa, Globally
Among African nations, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have claimed the fifth position, although they have experienced a considerable decline in their global ranking.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
According to the rankings published by FIFA on Thursday, December 19, Nigeria remain in their previous position as the fifth-best team in Africa.
However, the Super Eagles have faced a tumultuous year, culminating in an eight-place drop to 44th globally by the end of 2024.
This fall in the rankings can be attributed to lackluster performances during the crucial final 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. In matches against regional rivals Benin Republic and Rwanda, Nigeria struggled significantly, resulting in a series of disappointing outcomes and no victories.
In contrast to Nigeria’s struggles, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana have had a remarkable resurgence, climbing three spots to finish the year ranked 57th in the world. This improvement reflects their recent form and victories during the qualifiers, highlighting a successful turnaround for the team.
Nigeria’s West African counterparts, Ghana, faced their own set of challenges this year, concluding the year in a disappointing 77th place globally. This ranking illustrates the difficulties both Ghana and Nigeria have encountered in maintaining their status among Africa’s elite football teams.
Top 10 African Teams in FIFA Rankings:
1. Morocco – 14th
2. Senegal – 17th
3. Egypt – 33rd
4. Algeria – 37th
5. Nigeria – 44th
6. Côte d’Ivoire – 46th
7. Cameroon – 49th
8. Mali – 51st
9. Tunisia – 52nd
10. South Africa – 57th
On the world stage, the top ten international teams remained stable from the previous month, with Argentina securing the number one position. France holds strong at second, while Spain maintains third place in the rankings.
England and Brazil round out the top five, showcasing the prominence of these nations in global football.
2024 FIFA World Ranking (Top 10):
1. Argentina – 1867.25 points
2. France – 1859.78 points
3. Spain – 1853.27 points
4. England – 1813.81 points
5. Brazil – 1775.85 points
6. Portugal – 1756.12 points
7. Netherlands – 1747.55 points
8. Belgium – 1740.62 points
9. Italy – 1731.51 points
10. Germany – 1703.79 points.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Sports
Tijani Babangida said. “My Wife Lost Her Eye After Undergoing Plastic Surgery”
Ibrahim, Babangida’s younger brother, and Fadil, his six-month-old kid, were killed in the tragedy. Their housekeeper had a broken leg, and Babangida himself had a leg ailment. Babangida and his family had to endure a grueling recuperation process following the collision. Maryam was sent to the Netherlands for treatment after suffering from severe injuries and memory loss.
But after having plastic surgery, her health deteriorated and she lost one eye. “The worries I’ve gone through will never leave me,” Babangida acknowledged after considering the emotional toll. Maryam was also unable to remember important facts of the accident due to the shock. I told her about the accident and our young boy after we had been in the Netherlands for three months. She began to inquire about his name. “She is unable to recall anything,” Babangida revealed. Despite the tremendous obstacles, Babangida sent his sincere appreciation to his Dutch football teammates who organized a fundraiser to pay for Maryam’s medical care. Her recuperation is still not complete, and doctors predict that she will need to stay in the hospital for an additional year to deal with the psychological and physical effects. Babangida’s tenacity has garnered praise, demonstrating his unwavering dedication.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Sports
Final EPL Table Following Yesterday’s Games: Man Utd Closes the Gap on City in Title Race
Chelsea maintained their lead with a vital victory over Brentford yesterday, while Manchester United scored a thrilling victory against Manchester City, adding another twist to the Premier League title fight.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Chelsea kept their title ambitions alive with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brentford at Stamford Bridge. The Blues took the lead late in the first half when Marc Cucurella headed home from a pinpoint cross by Noni Madueke in the 43rd minute. Brentford, however, tested Chelsea’s resolve with a series of dangerous attacks, but goalkeeper Robert Sánchez made critical saves to deny the visitors.
In the 80th minute, Enzo Fernández intercepted a loose ball and sent Nicolas Jackson on a marauding run. Jackson beat Ethan Pinnock and slotted a composed finish into the bottom-right corner to double Chelsea’s lead.
Despite a late scare when Bryan Mbeumo scored a breakaway goal in stoppage time, Chelsea held on for the win. They remain two points behind League Leaders, Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
In a pulsating Manchester derby, United staged a stunning late comeback to beat City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium. City took an early lead through Josko Gvardiol’s towering header, and it looked like they were on course to extend their dominance in this fixture.
United struggled to create chances until a costly error by Matheus Nunes in the 75th minute changed the game. The midfielder’s misplaced back pass forced him into a desperate challenge on Amad Diallo, conceding a penalty. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and calmly converted to level the scores.
Minutes later, Lisandro Martínez delivered a perfectly weighted long ball over City’s defense, allowing Amad to lob Ederson and tap into an empty net, sealing an unforgettable victory for the Red Devils.
The win moves Manchester United up to 13th place on 22 points, narrowing the gap to their rivals City, who sit in 5th with 27 points.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
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