Sports
Enugu Rangers Beat Ikorodu City To Clinch Historic 9th NPFL Title
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Rangers International F.C. have etched their name deeper into Nigerian football history after defeating Ikorodu City F.C. 2-1 on Sunday to win the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title.
The victory at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena secured Rangers’ ninth league crown, drawing them level with Enyimba F.C. as the most successful clubs in NPFL history.
The encounter, widely regarded as the standout fixture of the final matchday, lived up to expectations as both sides approached the contest with everything at stake.
Rangers arrived in Lagos knowing that only victory would guarantee them the title, with second-placed Rivers United F.C. waiting to capitalise on any slip from the league leaders.
Ikorodu City, meanwhile, also had plenty to fight for, as a win would significantly boost their hopes of securing continental football next season.
The Flying Antelopes began brightly and eventually found the breakthrough in the 30th minute through captain Chidiebere Nwobodo, who finished calmly to hand the visitors a deserved lead.
Rangers maintained control for large spells of the opening half and carried their 1-0 advantage into the break.
The Enugu side resumed the second half with renewed attacking intent, repeatedly testing the Ikorodu City defence in search of a second goal.
Their pressure paid off in the 55th minute when Nwobodo struck again, completing his brace and sending Rangers supporters into wild celebrations.
However, the hosts responded almost immediately.
Ikorodu City pulled one back three minutes later through Moses Ali, setting up a nervy finish and raising the intensity inside the stadium.
The goal ensured a tense final stretch for Rangers, who knew that anything short of victory could hand the title to Rivers United, who were already cruising to a comfortable win over Katsina United F.C. in Port Harcourt.
Despite mounting pressure from the hosts, Rangers held firm to preserve their 2-1 lead until the final whistle, sparking jubilant scenes among players and fans, who broke into chants of “Holy, Holy, Holy, Enugu Rangers is another champion”.
The victory capped one of the most dramatic final-day title races in recent NPFL history, with Rangers ultimately finishing ahead of Rivers United, who defeated Katsina United 3-0 but fell just short in the championship race.
Both Rangers and Rivers United will represent Nigeria in next season’s CAF Champions League, while Shooting Stars S.C. secured a CAF Confederation Cup spot after finishing third.
At the other end of the table, there was a major shock as defending champions Remo Stars F.C. suffered relegation after ending the campaign in 17th position.
Elkanami Warriors, Bayelsa United F.C. and Wikki Tourists F.C. were the other teams relegated, finishing 18th, 19th and 20th respectively.
Rangers’ triumph marks another landmark achievement for the Coal City club and further cements their place among Nigeria’s football elite.
Sports
Ex – Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is expected to leave Monaco amid talks over a possible contract termination.
The former World Cup winner joined the Ligue 1 side last summer after he was permitted to return to professional football after a doping suspension.
Pogba signed a two-year contract that was set to run until the end of the upcoming season, but a new injury setback has disrupted his plans.
The French midfielder collapsed in severe pain in his leg during a training session, accelerating Monaco’s decision to terminate his contract, according to L’Equipe and Nicemartin.com.
Pogba only returned to training last week but sustained the thigh injury in a small-sided game and was scheduled for an MRI this week.
The club will now try to reach an agreement with Pogba and his representatives over paying out his deal, which expires next summer.
Pogba was allowed back into football in March 2025 after his doping ban was reduced on appeal.
He had already left Juventus after having that contract terminated by mutual consent in December 2024.
Monaco was his route back into the game but he only managed to play in six matches last term due to persistent injury problems.
Katsina State was thrown into mourning on Tuesday after the tragic death of Katsina United Football Club player, Chinedu Ozor, who collapsed during a pre-season friendly match against Niger Tornadoes FC at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.
The promising footballer, who recently joined Katsina United from Kano Pillars FC, reportedly suffered a medical emergency during the encounter and was rushed to K-Dara Specialist Hospital, Katsina, where he was confirmed dead in the early hours of Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
Reacting to the heartbreaking incident, Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, expressed profound shock and sadness over the untimely passing of the young player, describing the loss as a devastating blow to the football community and the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday night by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, Governor Radda said the tragedy was especially painful as Ozor had been preparing to begin a new chapter of his career with Katsina United.
“The sudden death of Ozoh Chinedu is deeply shocking and heartbreaking. It is particularly painful that a young footballer with a promising career has lost his life at such a time,” the Governor said.
Governor Radda extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, Katsina United Football Club, the player’s teammates, coaches, management, supporters, his former club Kano Pillars FC, and the wider Nigerian football community.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Katsina State, I extend our condolences to the family of Ozoh Chinedu, Katsina United FC, his teammates, coaches, management, supporters, Kano Pillars FC and the entire football community,” he added.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves across the country’s football fraternity, with tributes expected to pour in for the late midfielder, whose career was widely regarded as one of great promise.
Ozoh’s sudden passing has once again highlighted concerns over player health and emergency medical preparedness in competitive football, as the football community mourns the loss of a talented athlete whose life and career were cut short.
Sports
Countries That Qualified For 2027 Women’s World Cup As Cameroon Beat Nigeria In Quarter- Final
Cameroon on Sunday secured their place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after edging Nigeria’s Super Falcons 1-0 in their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final encounter.
The victory also sent the Indomitable Lionesses into the WAFCON semi-finals, securing their qualification for next year’s global tournament in Brazil.
The 2026 WAFCON doubles as Africa’s qualifying competition for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, with the four semi-finalists earning the continent’s automatic tickets to the tournament.
Cameroon join Algeria and Morocco, who had already sealed their places after reaching the semi-finals on Saturday.
Brazil will host the 2027 tournament, while the remaining qualifying places are being determined through continental competitions across the various confederations.
See full list of countries that qualified:
Host:
Brazil
AFC:
Australia
China PR
Japan
Korea DPR
Korea Republic
Philippines
CAF:
Algeria
Cameroon
Morocco
Concacaf:
None yet
CONMEBOL:
Argentina
Colombia
OFC:
New Zealand
UEFA:
Denmark
France
Germany
Spain
More teams are expected to secure qualification as the various continental qualification campaigns conclude.
The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will feature 32 teams.
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Ex – Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is expected to leave Monaco amid talks over a possible contract termination.
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