Sports - Abia ThinkTank News

Jan

2026

AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Trash Mozambique, Cruises Into Quarter-Finals

AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Trash Mozambique, Cruise Into Quarter-finals Nigeria produced one of their most complete performances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday night, sweeping aside Mozambique 4–0 in their Round of 16 encounter at the Stade de Fès to book a place in the quarter-finals. The Super Eagles arrived in Fès in confident mood after a perfect group-stage campaign, and they wasted little time asserting their authority against a Mozambique side making their first appearance in the knockout rounds of the competition. Nigeria dominated possession from the start, pressing high and forcing mistakes from the Mambas’…

Dec

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

OBU OHAFIA ASSOCIATION In Collaboration With Abia State Government, Others Present OHAFIA UNITY MARATHON 2025, 2nd Edition

Abia State, News Flash, Ohafia LGA, Sports

Nov

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Nigeria Thrash Gabon 4-1, Advance To World Cup Playoff Final

Football, International, Sports

Nigeria Thrash Gabon 4 – 1, Advance To World Cup Playoff Final Victor Osimhen scored twice as the Super Eagles sealed an emphatic 4-1 victory over the Panthers of Gabon in extra time to advance to the next playoff stage of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Thursday at Stade Mohammed V in Rabat, Morocco. After a goalless first half, Akor Adams broke the deadlock early in the second half, capitalising on a player’s error to put Nigeria ahead. Gabon, however, equalised four minutes before the end of the match, forcing the game into extra time. Chidera Ejuke restored Nigeria’s…

Nov

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Outrage As FIFA Names South African Referees For Nigeria’s World Cup Playoff Match

Football, News Flash, Sports

Outrage As FIFA Names South African Referees For Nigeria’s World Cup Playoff Match FIFA has appointed a team of South African match officials for the forthcoming Super Eagles’ World Cup playoff clash against Gabon. Nigeria will take on Gabon on November 13 in one of the two semi-finals of the African World Cup playoffs in Morocco. The winner of the match will face either Congo DR or Cameroon in the final to clinch the sole slot to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoff. South Africa’s Tom Abongile has been named the centre referee for Nigeria’s semi-final match. Zakhele Siwela, another…

Oct

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Davido Appointed Chairman Osun Sports Trust Fund

News Flash, Personality, Sports

Davido Appointed Chairman Osun Sports Trust Fund The Osun State Government has announced the appointment of Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, as chairman of the Osun Sports Trust Fund. The government said the move was aimed at raising funds to transform the state sports sector. It also reaffirmed its commitment to completing the ongoing renovation and rehabilitation of the Osogbo Township Stadium, assuring that the upgraded facility will meet Olympic standards upon completion. As reported by the Guardian Nigeria, confirming the appointment, the state deputy governor, Kola Adewusi, who doubles as the Commissioner for Sports, said the…

Oct

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

2026 World Cup: How Nigeria Can Qualify After Lesotho Win

Football, Sports

How Nigeria Can Qualify For 2026 World Cup After Lesotho Win Nigeria’s slim 2-1 victory over Lesotho on Friday has kept their 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes alive; but qualification is still delicately poised heading into the final round of Group C fixtures. The Super Eagles were made to sweat against Lesotho, with captain William Troost-Ekong and debutant Akor Adams finding the net to secure a much-needed three points. Despite the win, Nigeria remain in third place in the group, trailing Benin Republic with three points and South Africa with one point as the race for automatic qualification for the…

Oct

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

US Bars Iran From Attending World Cup Draw

Football, Sports, World News

US Bars Iran From Attending World Cup Draw The U.S. denied an Iranian delegation entry to attend the World Cup draw in the country, according to the spokesperson for the Iranian Football Federation (FFI), Amir-Mehdi Alawi. Among those affected were FFI President Mehdi Taj, Head Coach Amir Ghalenoei, and seven other FFI officials, the spokesperson said, according to the daily newspaper Shargh. The FFI is now hoping to persuade FIFA President Gianni Infantino to reverse the decision. The spokesperson thinks Infantino will lift the prohibition within the next two weeks. The World Cup draw will take place on December 5…

Sep

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

The Miracle Window: How Eagles Found A Path To 2026 World Cup

Football, News Flash, Sports

The Miracle Window: How Eagles Found A Path Back To 2026 World Cup The Super Eagles have been handed an unexpected lifeline in their bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Eritrea withdrew from the CAF qualifiers. Nigeria, currently third in Group C with 11 points from eight matches, had been staring down the barrel of missing another World Cup after failing to capitalize on draws against Zimbabwe and South Africa. Bafana Bafana lead the group with 17 points, while Benin Republic are second on 14 points. The Eritrea Football Association pulled their men’s team from the…

Sep

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Victor Osimhen To Miss Nigeria/South Africa FIFA World Cup Clash

FGN, Football, Sports

Victor Osimhen To Miss Nigeria/ South Africa Clash Due To Injury Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of the Super Eagles’ crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa. Osimhen, who was forced off in the first half of Saturday’s 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo, had initially been feared to be struggling with an ankle problem. However, the team doctor later confirmed the injury as a bruise on his shin. According to journalist Sulaimon Adebayor, popularly known as Pooja, quoting official NFF sources, Osimhen woke up with discomfort on Sunday morning and will not be traveling…

Jul

2025

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WAFCON: Morocco Petitions CAF Over Super Falcon’s Victory

Football, FGN, News Flash, Sports

WAFCON: Morocco Petitions CAF Over Super Falcons’ Victory Morocco’s Football Federation (FRMF) has officially submitted a petition to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), alleging “refereeing injustices” during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final against Nigeria’s Super Falcons. As reported by Morocco World News, the FRMF claimed that the Centre Referee failed to award a “clear” penalty in the 82nd minute, with the score level at 2-2 during the finals. Video evidence suggested a potential handball by Super Falcons defender Tosin Demehin, but following a video assistant referee (VAR) review, the referee overturned her initial decision. Following the…