GO SPORTS

  By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi  FIFA has taken a significant step toward reshaping one of football’s most debated rules after opening the door to a proposed overhaul of the offside law championed by former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger. Under the proposed amendment, an attacking player would only be deemed offside if they have fully passed the last defender at the moment the ball is played. This would mark a clear departure from the current interpretation, where marginal decisions are often determined by small body parts such as a shoulder, toe, or knee. The change, which is aimed at restoring attacking advantage and reducing controversial VAR decisions, is now under active consideration by football’s law-making authorities. FIFA believes the proposal could simplify offside calls, improve clarity for fans, and limit the frustration caused by tight, frame-by-frame reviews. If approved, the new offside interpretation could be introduced as early as next season , representing one...

  By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi  FIFA has officially approved the nationality switch of goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, making the 24-year-old eligible to represent Nigeria at international level. Okonkwo, who previously featured at youth level for England, completed the change of association following FIFA’s clearance, opening the door for a potential call-up to the Super Eagles. The Wrexham shot-stopper has been in impressive form in the English Championship this season, recording 66 saves and keeping five clean sheets in 21 league appearances. His performances have played a key role in Wrexham’s campaign and have attracted growing attention from Nigerian football stakeholders. Okonkwo’s eligibility provides a timely boost to Nigeria’s goalkeeping options as the national team continues to rebuild and strengthen its squad ahead of upcoming international competitions. His blend of youth, experience in English football, and current form positions him as a strong contender for future S...

  By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi  Nigeria secured a convincing 3–1 victory over Uganda in their Group C encounter, producing a dominant display marked by superior possession, attacking intent, and clinical finishing. The Super Eagles took the lead in the 28th minute through Paul Onuachu, who capitalised on Nigeria’s early pressure to put his side ahead. Nigeria continued to control proceedings and doubled their advantage shortly after the hour mark when Raphael Onyedika struck in the 62nd minute. The midfielder added his second goal of the night five minutes later, scoring again in the 67th minute to effectively put the game beyond Uganda’s reach. Uganda pulled one back in the 75th minute through R. Mato, offering brief hope for a comeback, but Nigeria remained composed to see out the contest. The statistics underlined Nigeria’s dominance. The Super Eagles enjoyed 71 percent possession compared to Uganda’s 29 percent, registered 12 shots to Uganda’s five, and recorded six shots o...

By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi  Nigeria secured a hard-fought 3–2 victory over Tunisia in an entertaining Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash on Sunday at the Fez Stadium in Morocco, reinforcing their credentials as title contenders. The Super Eagles took the lead just before halftime when Victor Osimhen struck in the 44th minute, rewarding Nigeria’s early dominance. Momentum swung firmly in Nigeria’s favour shortly after the restart as Wilfred Ndidi doubled the advantage in the 50th minute with a composed finish from midfield. Tunisia responded with renewed urgency and pulled one back in the 74th minute through Mohamed Talbi, setting up a tense final phase. However, Nigeria restored their two-goal cushion when Ademola Lookman found the net in the 67th minute, capping a strong attacking display. The Carthage Eagles refused to go quietly and were handed a lifeline late on when Aïssa Abdi converted a penalty in the 87th minute, but Nigeria held firm to see out the contest. Match statistics ...

  Reports say FIFA has officially dismissed Nigeria’s appeal challenging the eligibility of Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) players in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter, bringing an end to the matter and leaving the original result unchanged. In its ruling, FIFA’s adjudicatory body confirmed that DR Congo fully complied with all relevant provisions of the FIFA Statutes and Regulations. As a result, the outcome of the match — a 4–3 victory for DR Congo via a penalty shootout — has been upheld. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had lodged the appeal on the grounds that several Congolese players were allegedly ineligible under DR Congo’s domestic laws, which generally restrict dual citizenship. However, FIFA clarified that player eligibility in international competitions is assessed strictly under FIFA regulations, not domestic legal frameworks. According to FIFA, all the players fielded by DR Congo possessed valid Congolese passports and had been duly pr...

By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi  Former Super Eagles captain and coach, Sunday Oliseh, has dismissed claims circulating on social media that his recent analysis of Nigeria’s performance against Tanzania was driven by a lack of support for the national team. In an official statement, Oliseh expressed disappointment over the accusations, stressing that his comments were made in good faith and in line with his professional responsibility as a football analyst. He noted that he has devoted nearly four decades of his life to the growth and development of Nigerian football, both on and off the pitch. According to him, while his role demands objectivity and honest assessment, his commitment to the Super Eagles, the players, and head coach Eric Chelle remains unwavering. Oliseh explained that constructive criticism should not be mistaken for hostility, describing honest analysis as a necessary tool for improvement and progress. He also pointed out the irony of the situation, recalling that he ...