Mr VAR

Best Talent Football Club continued their impressive preparations with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Baraka Football Academy in an entertaining friendly match played on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Car Park C, Temple Arena, Redemption City of God, Mowe, Ogun State. . The encounter burst into life almost immediately as Ezekiel gave Best Talent FC the lead after just 58 seconds, setting the tone for an exciting contest. However, Baraka FA responded swiftly, scoring in the 2nd minute to restore parity before taking the lead with another goal in the 5th minute. Despite going behind, Best Talent FC remained composed and continued to press for an equaliser. Their persistence paid off in the 13th minute when Taofeek found the back of the net to make it 2-2. With both sides creating chances in an entertaining and competitive game, the decisive moment arrived in the 73rd minute when Otene calmly slotted home the winning goal to complete Best Talent FC's remarkable comeback and sea...

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has commended the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko, and Director General of the Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, for the transparent and prompt disbursement of cash rewards to Team Nigeria athletes who have won medals at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. SWAN President Mr. Isaiah Benjamin through the Association's Secretary-General Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo in a statement on Sunday said the immediate presentation of financial rewards to medal-winning athletes at the competition venue, with the balance paid directly into their personal accounts, represents a commendable departure from past practices and reflects the NSC's commitment to transparency, accountability and welfare of Nigerian athletes. Presence Benjamin also hailed increase in the athletes and coaches' rewards after winning medals at the Games. He noted that the initiative has sent a strong message that ex...

The Nationwide League One (NLO) is intensifying efforts to raise the standards of football administration, improve discipline across its competitions, and strengthen Nigeria's talent development pipeline, according to the league's Chief Operating Officer, Olushola Ogunowo. Speaking during an exclusive interview on the Sports World Platform, Ogunowo outlined the strategic initiatives driving the country's largest football league, which boasts nearly 400 participating clubs across Nigeria. The interview, anchored by renowned sports broadcaster Sunday Agunbiade (Mr VAR) and co-hosted by sports journalist Afonne Chukwuemeka, focused on governance, officiating, and the future of grassroots football in Nigeria. Building Better Football Administrators Responding to a question from Ikenna Okonkwo, General Secretary of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), on measures being taken to curb misconduct among clubs and improve league management, Ogunowo stressed t...

 By Michael Odetunde The Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO), Dr. Shola Ogunnowo, has urged clubs participating in the league to strictly comply with its rules and legal framework. Ogunnowo made the appeal during the July edition of the Super Interview on the Sports World WhatsApp platform on Friday. He said the league is intensifying efforts to prevent some club owners from gaining an unfair advantage by fielding established professional players in a competition designed to develop emerging football talents. "We have been doing our best to curb the attitude of some club owners who intend to cheat the system," he said. According to him, such practices undermine football development in Nigeria by denying young players the opportunity to showcase their abilities. "These actions are affecting football development in Nigeria because they deny younger players the chance to display their talents by bringing in already established prof...

Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Nationwide League (NLO), Shola Ogunnowo, has thrown his weight behind the second-term re-election bid of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, describing his leadership as progressive and worthy of continuity. Ogunnowo made the call on Friday evening during a WhatsApp interview session on Nigerian popular group, *Sports World Platform* hosted by renowned sports journalist, Sunday Agunbiade (Mr VAR), alongside co-host Afonne Chukwuemeka. Speaking during the interactive session, Ogunnowo applauded Gusau's administration for initiating reforms that have brought renewed stability and growth to Nigerian football. He noted that the NFF under Gusau has demonstrated a genuine commitment to football development at all levels, including grassroots football, league administration, youth development, and improved collaboration with football stakeholders. According to him, continuity remains essentia...

The Oyo State Football Association (OYSFA), in collaboration with the Pillar of Sports Youth Development Foundation, has announced a One-Day Seminar for coaches of clubs and football academies affiliated with the Association. Addressing newsmen in Ibadan shortly after finalising the arrangements, Oyo FA Chairman, Oba Alakinleye of Akinleye, HRM Oba James Oluyemi Odeniran said that the capacity building is part of cardinal programmes of the Association ,aims at preparing leadership skills amongst the coaches in the sate. The ex FIFA badged referee lauded the Pillar of Sports Youth Development Foundation, Mr Temitope Obideyi for his vision which aligns with the Regulatory functions of the state football body. The seminar is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 8, 2026, by 11:00 a.m. at the Academy Suite, Moremi Hall, Oke Ado, Ibadan. The one-day programme is designed to enhance the knowledge, competence and overall capacity of grassroots football coaches in Oyo State. Partic...