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Bendel Insurance, Rangers FC Clash: Obaseki Offers Free Bus Rides For Fans, Supporters

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The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has put all modalities in place to mobilize support for Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin for their Nigeria Professional Football League (NPLF) showdown against Rangers International Football Club of Enugu State.

The Benin Arsenals will play host to the Flying Antelopes on Saturday, January 06, 2024, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, by 4 pm.

In a statement, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, said the government is providing free buses through the Edo City Transport Services (ECTS) at different pickup points to and from the match venue, to ensure Edo people come out en masse to cheer the home team to victory.

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Nehikhare said, “Our sports-loving governor, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has approved the provision of free bus ride through the Edo City Transport Services (ECTS) to mobilize Edo people in their numbers to cheer the State’s football team, Bendel Insurance to victory during their NPFL clash against Rangers FC on Saturday, January 06, 2024, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

“The free buses will be available at various pickup points, ensuring easy and accessible movement for fans and supporters of Bendel Insurance as well as other football enthusiasts to and from the match venue.

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According to him, “The route for the free bus service includes Ugbowo axis, Airport Road, Sokponba Road, Ikpoba-Hill, Eyean-Aduwawa axis, King Square axis, Ogida Siluko Road, New Benin, Sapele Road and Ekenwan Road.”

He added, “While we are sure of victory after 90 minutes of exciting football, we are encouraging Edo people to come out enmasse to cheer our darling team, Bendel Insurance to victory. We want the stadium to be filled so that we can give them the moral support they require.”

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FIFA Suspends Seven Players Over Forged Documents

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FIFA on Friday suspended seven Malaysia national team players for 12 months and fined the country’s football association 350,000 Swiss francs ($440,000) over forged documents used for an Asia Cup qualifier.

World football’s disciplinary committee imposed the sanctions after the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) doctored documentation to be able to field the players in a 4-0 win over Vietnam in June, it said in a statement.

FIFA acted after it received a complaint regarding the eligibility of a number of players who featured in the match.

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As a result, Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano were all fined 2,000 Swiss francs.

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They were also banned from any football-related activity for 12 months.
Reacting to the suspension, the FAM said it would appeal the decision.

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The body said it would “use all available legal channels and procedures to ensure that the interests of the players and the Malaysian national team are always protected”.

“FAM would like to emphasise that the players involved, and FAM itself, have acted in good faith and with full transparency throughout this process,” the association said in a statement issued in Kuala Lumpur.

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The FAM maintained that documentation and procedures were managed transparently and along FIFA guidelines.

“In fact, FIFA has previously reviewed the qualifications of the players and provided official confirmation that they are eligible to play for Malaysia,” the FAM said.

Malaysia currently top their 2027 Asia Cup qualifying group with six points from two matches, pending any further FIFA sanctions.

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Flying Eagles Arrive Chile’s Talca For FIFA U20 World Cup Campaign

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The Flying Eagles arrived in the Chilean city of Talca on Thursday afternoon ahead of their participation in the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup.

Nigeria is placed in Group F alongside Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia, with all group matches scheduled to be played in Talca.

Upon arrival, the two-time U20 World Cup finalists were warmly received by officials from FIFA, the Local Organising Committee, and hotel staff.

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The team later held its first training session in the evening to begin final preparations for the tournament.

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According to The PUNCH, the Head coach of Nigeria’s U-20 national team, Ali Zubair, said the Flying Eagles have corrected the mistakes that cost them at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations and are now better prepared for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.

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The Flying Eagles are lodged at Hotel Diego de Almagro in Talca. The team wrapped up a 12-day training camp in Santiago, where they played host nation Chile and Australia as part of the build-up to the FIFA U20 World Cup.

Nigeria opens its campaign for honours in this year’s edition with a game against Norway on Monday, 29th September at Estadio Fiscal de Talca, before other games against Saudi Arabia and Colombia.

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Nigeria’s national under-20 men’s football team is one of the most successful youth teams in Africa. The team has a rich history in the FIFA U20 World Cup, having participated in multiple editions since its debut in 1983.

Notably, the Flying Eagles have been runners-up twice — in 1989 (losing to Portugal) and 2005 (losing to Argentina, led by Lionel Messi).

They have also reached the semifinals on several occasions and are known for producing future Super Eagles stars such as Mikel Obi, Taye Taiwo, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Victor Osimhen.

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FULL LIST: Nigerian Boxer Efe Ajagba Breaks Into World’s Top 10 Heavyweights

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Nigerian heavyweight boxer Efe Ajagba has been ranked among the top 10 fighters in the world by The Ring magazine.

In its latest rankings updated on Thursday, Ajagba secured the No. 10 spot in the prestigious list, widely regarded as the sport’s most respected independent ratings.

The 30-year-old, who holds a professional record of 20 wins, one loss, and one draw with 14 knockouts, joins an elite lineup.

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The heavyweight division is currently led by Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk, who holds the champion’s position, with Britain’s Tyson Fury ranked first among contenders.

New Zealand’s Joseph Parker and Germany’s Agit Kabayel occupy the top three positions.

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Ajagba’s inclusion comes after a string of impressive performances that have reignited his world title ambitions.

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His most recent victory solidified his status as one of the leading contenders from Africa in the heavyweight division.

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The Ring magazine, founded in 1922, updates its ratings monthly based on results, performance, and track record, with input from boxing journalists and historians worldwide.

The development makes Ajagba the only Nigerian currently ranked in the heavyweight top 10.

Below is the full updated heavyweight ranking by The Ring:

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