The Nigerian national football team is set for a high-stakes contest against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign. The fixture, slated for September 9, 2025, will unfold at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein. As revealed in a Sunday statement by NFF Head of Communications Ademola Olajire, the kickoff is at 4 p.m. GMT—corresponding to 5 p.m. in Nigeria and 6 p.m. in South Africa. The match, falling on Matchday 8, could determine the fate of either side in Group C. With only the group winner progressing directly to the World Cup finals, the pressure is…
Author: Podium Reporters
In an electrifying WAFCON final held in Morocco, the Super Falcons staged one of the most memorable comebacks in tournament history, defeating the host nation 3-2 to win their 10th title. Despite falling behind 0-2 in the first half, the Falcons clawed back in dramatic fashion with goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folasade Ijamilusi, and Jennifer Echegini. The performance earned praise from President Bola Tinubu, who interacted with the team via a video call, commending their performance and spirit. “You lifted our spirits, and we are all very happy. You will be celebrated,” Tinubu told the team, noting their historic achievement…
On Sunday, two young soldiers serving in the elite Golani Infantry Brigade lost their lives in southern Gaza when the armored vehicle they occupied was struck by a massive explosion in Khan Yunis. The soldiers, aged 20 and 22, were identified as members of the 51st Battalion, a unit heavily engaged in the ongoing Israeli ground operations in Gaza. Sources within the Israeli military have indicated that the detonation originated from an improvised explosive device, triggered as a militant emerged from a tunnel concealed beneath the urban terrain. An investigation into the exact circumstances remains underway. This incident adds to…
Professor Nentawe Yilwatda’s appointment as the National Chairman of Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, has revived a critical national discussion on the role of religion in political leadership, particularly regarding the upcoming 2027 presidential election. Yilwatda, a Christian from Plateau State in the North Central region, was selected to succeed Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, a Muslim from Kano State, who stepped down recently due to health reasons. The announcement was made at a National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, who previously caused national controversy by running a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2023 alongside Kashim…
In a gripping encounter at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria’s Super Falcons eked out a narrow 3-2 win against Morocco in a contest packed with drama and skill. Morocco appeared dominant early on, securing a two-goal lead through strikes from G. Chebbak in the 12th minute and S. Mssoudy in the 24th. Yet, Nigeria demonstrated remarkable resilience in the second half. E. Okoronwko opened Nigeria’s comeback with a penalty goal in the 64th minute. Seven minutes later, F. F. Ijamilusi found the net to further cut into the deficit. The Super Falcons finally clinched the match when J.…
Ahead of tonight’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco, President Bola Tinubu has publicly rallied behind Nigeria’s Super Falcons, encouraging them to extend their dominance in African women’s football by clinching a tenth championship title. The President’s message, formally communicated in a signed statement, praised the Falcons’ “awe-inspiring” performances, applauding their display of strength, honour, and respect in competition and beyond. Tinubu singled out their compassionate visit to an injured South African player as an embodiment of African unity and empathy. Referencing the team’s unbeaten run through the group stage, successful knockout victories, and minimal goals conceded, he…
Kemi Badenoch’s statement about Nigerian citizenship restrictions tied to gender has provoked a sharp response from Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who leads the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission. During a CNN conversation, Badenoch described the difficulty of acquiring Nigerian citizenship, explaining, “I have that citizenship by virtue of my parents, I can’t give it to my children because I’m a woman.” Addressing this on Channels Television’s Hard Copy, Dabiri-Erewa declared the statement false. She criticized the spreading of incorrect views on global media, saying, “Don’t divulge false information. You go on international media and spew a lie.” She condemned the insult to Nigerian…
The Naira exhibited a mild rebound against the U.S. dollar toward the end of the trading week, closing at N1,534.72 on Friday. According to the latest update from the Central Bank of Nigeria, this figure marks a subtle gain of approximately 4.52 kobo compared to Thursday’s rate. The currency’s performance earlier in the week included minor losses, registering at N1,535.62 on Wednesday and N1,535.24 on Tuesday. The week itself had started on a slightly weaker note, with the Naira declining by 20 kobo on Monday. Observers note that this pattern of small fluctuations reflects ongoing adjustments in Nigeria’s foreign exchange…
Following the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari in July, Ayodele Fayose, ex-Governor of Ekiti, recounted a personal episode in which his wife persuaded him to withhold public criticisms. Speaking during a national television appearance, Fayose said, “The people in Nigeria only praise the dead. When President Buhari died, I wanted to come out and abuse him (but) my wife called me not to say so.” The former president, who governed Nigeria from 2015 to 2023, died on July 13 in a London hospital and was buried in Katsina State shortly afterward. Known for his outspoken critiques of Buhari’s time…
Recent changes in UK immigration policy have rendered over 100 jobs previously eligible for Certificates of Sponsorship off-limits, severely impacting thousands of Nigerian professionals working in the country. The UK government increased salary thresholds and raised skill level requirements effective July 22, 2025. Jobs removed include those in agriculture, hospitality management, selective healthcare roles, protective services like policing, and a variety of arts and community positions. The general salary threshold now mandates £41,700 annually, up from previous figures around £24,000 to £26,000, while health and care roles retain a threshold of £25,600 but with stricter net pay conditions. Phika Travels’…