Mr VAR

The hunger paid off. As underdogs, Flight FC Gboko have written themselves into TICO Select history and booked a place in this year’s final. After a tough opening loss to NPFL champions Enugu Rangers 3️⃣ - 2️⃣, the Transporters steadied the ship. A 1️⃣ - 0️⃣ win over Excellent FC all in the early stage followed by another 0️⃣ - 1️⃣ victory  against NPFL newcomers Doma United in the Quarterfinals, then a penalty shootout victory 4️⃣ - 2️⃣ against INGAS FC after the game ended 0️⃣ - 0️⃣ at full time in the Semi-Finals The semi-final was a different kind of battle. Tight, tense, and decided by moments of individual brilliance between the sticks. For the first time ever in the Ifeanyi Ekwueme TICO Select Preseason Tournament, one team played two goalkeepers in a single match and it worked. *Bartholomew Tarnande* started and delivered a full-time clean sheet. Calm, commanding, and impossible to beat over 90 minutes. *Donnie Teryima* came on and immediately made h...

By: Sunday Agunbiade (Mr VAR) Ago-Are Ward 7 of Atisbo Local Government Area emerged champions of the 2026 Wale Canada Inter-Ward Football Competition after an impressive campaign that culminated in the lifting of the coveted trophy.  "The competition which is organized by Oyo State Football Association under the able leadership of Alakinleye of Akinleye, Oba James Oluyemi Odeniran, Ago Are Ward 7 side went home with the championship trophy medal and a cash prize of #750,000 following a competition that brought together talented young footballers from various wards across the participating communities. Ward 11 Sepeteri of Saki East Local Government Area finished as runners-up and were rewarded with medals and ₦500,000, while Ward 1 Agbonle, also from Saki East, secured third place, taking home medals and ₦250,000. Ward 5 Ofiki of Atisbo Local Government Area completed the top four and received ₦100,000. Beyond the prize money and trophies, the o...

By Sunday Agunbiade (Mr VAR) As the race for the South-West slot on the Board of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, gathers momentum, the emergence of the Chairman of the Oyo State Football Association, His Royal Majesty, Alakinleye of Akinleye, Oba James Oluyemi Odeniran, presents an opportunity for the region to project a candidate whose experience cuts across grassroots football, refereeing, sports administration and public service. Oba Odeniran is not coming into the contest as a stranger to football administration. His journey has been one of gradual progression through the ranks, giving him practical knowledge of the challenges confronting Nigerian football at both the grassroots and administrative levels. *A Grassroots Football Proponent* At the heart of Oba Odeniran's football philosophy is a strong belief in grassroots development. For him, the future of Nigerian football cannot be built exclusively around the national teams or professional clubs. The founda...

Residents of Abesan Estate in Mosan-Okunola LCDA, Lagos State, have appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in the continued closure of the Youth Centre located within the estate. The centre was shut by the supervising Ministry of Youth and Social Development in June 2026 for proposed renovation works. However, residents say the renovation is yet to commence, with the contractor reportedly yet to move to site. The closure has denied thousands of teenagers and youths in the community access to the facility, particularly during the ongoing summer holiday when many young people would ordinarily engage in sports, skills development and other productive activities. The Abesan Estate Residents Association (AERA), the umbrella body representing residents of the community, had written to the ministry expressing concern over the adverse effects of keeping the facility closed at a time when children are on holiday. According to the residents, the ...

National U18 Basketball Team Group Exit Calls for Concern By: Rachel Nwadike The latest medal table from the World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon should force Nigerians to look beyond the familiar habit of blaming every sporting failure on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The table tells a sobering story. While the United States leads with 12 gold, seven silver and five bronze medals, Kenya sits impressively in second position with four gold, three silver and four bronze medals. Italy is third with three gold and two bronze, while Jamaica, Australia, Ethiopia and other nations also occupy prominent positions. Nigeria, meanwhile, is listed 17th, with just one gold medal and no silver or bronze medal. That is not merely an athletics problem. It is a Nigerian sports administration problem. And it raises a fundamental question: If Kenya can develop athletes capable of putting the country second in the world at the U20 level, why is Nigeria—blessed with enormous spo...

The Chairman of the Oyo State Football Association, His Royal Majesty, Alakinleye of Akinleye, Oba James Oluyemi Odeniran, has highlighted his intention to contest for the South-West slot on the Board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), signalling his determination to bring a fresh perspective, stronger representation and renewed development to football in the region. Oba Odeniran, an ex-FIFA badged referee with extensive experience within the football family, is entering the contest with a reputation built around his understanding of the game from the pitch to football administration. His decision to seek the South-West slot is coming at a time when stakeholders across the region are increasingly demanding stronger coordination, improved grassroots development, better opportunities for young talents and more effective representation of the zone at the national level. For Oba Odeniran, the contest is not simply about occupying a position on the NFF Board. It is about ...