Sports

Talent Hunt: Football Expert Scouts For Talents In Bauchi

Published

2 months ago

July 28, 2025

A football academy expert, Usman Ya’u, on Sunday, began scouting for footballers with special talents in Bauchi state.

Speaking during the 2025 Usman Ya’u Unity Cup organized for all the tertiary institutions in Bauchi metropolis, Ya’u explained that the essence of the competition was to identify football talents and project them in a global world

According to him, the competition was also to unite all the students across Bauchi state as a whole.

“Some of the issues we are facing in Nigeria currently is the lack of unity, patriotism and understanding of each other.

“So, I took it upon myself to see what are some of the things I will be able to contribute to my state.

“We have done so many things from the grassroot and then we decided how do we come to tertiary institutions because these are people that are going to be the leaders of tomorrow, professionals and people that are going to lead us in many aspects of our lives.

“We decided that football is one of the things that unite us all and that’s what sport does.

“As you can see from the crowd, you will see all the calibre of people from males, females, the young and the old. Everybody is here regardless of culture, religion, age or where you are coming from,” he said.

The football expert said that the competition would be able to unite the students of tertiary institutions and bring them together irrespective of where they come from.

He explained that 10 institutions in Bauchi metropolis were participating after which players with special talents would be discovered.

“I have a football academy in my local government, Darazo and we are hoping to go to Europe next year, so, this is an opportunity for scouts across Bauchi to come and see the kind of grassroot talents that we have,” said Ya’u.

Similarly, Mohammed Nasir, Secretary, Local Organising committee of the competition, said that the essence of the tournament is to bring unity among the students of Bauchi state tertiary institutions and to also identify talents to develop sports from the grassroot.

Also speaking, Usman Abubakar, a lecturer from the School of Nursing, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBU-TH), said it was high time such competition is organized.

“This is because as medical personnel, we know the importance of exercise and unity.

“Organising such a competition will bring unity among the youth and we thank the organisers for organising such a competition,” he said.

Nuhu Abubakar, Students Affairs Coordinator, College of Agriculture, Bauchi, believed that the competition would improve sportsmanship, adding that it was an avenue for the students to familiarise with each other.

He called on the players to obey the rules and regulations of the competition, saying it was not a donor die affairs.

Sports

2026 World Cup: All You Need To Know About South Africa Vs Nigeria Match

Published

4 days ago

September 8, 2025

Editor

The Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein will take centre stage on Tuesday as South Africa’s Bafana Bafana host the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

With Group C reaching its climax, both teams are under pressure to get a result. South Africa aims to solidify its position at the top of the group, while Nigeria is desperate for a win to keep its World Cup hopes alive.

Current standings

Bafana Bafana lead the group on 16 points after sweeping aside Lesotho 3-0 in their last outing. Nigeria trails in third with 10 points, just one shy of Benin Republic, who sit second. On Sunday, the Eagles narrowly edged Rwanda 1-0 to stay in the race.

Eagles under pressure

Nigeria’s inconsistent form—only two wins in five matches—means this tie could prove pivotal. Adding to the challenge, Hugo Broos’ South Africa are on a three-match unbeaten run at home and have won three qualifiers in a row.

Injury watch and key battles

The availability of Victor Osimhen remains uncertain after the striker suffered a knock against Rwanda.

Historically, Nigeria hold a slight edge in the rivalry with two wins in their last seven meetings.

Still, the South Africa team has been tough to beat on home soil, avoiding defeat in their last three games against the Eagles, including a 1-1 stalemate in 2024.

Rivalry

Nigeria’s last away win against South Africa came at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Securing another statement victory on Tuesday would provide a huge boost to their qualification hopes.

Kickofft

The clash kicks off at 5 p.m. Nigerian time on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

Fans can follow the action live on SuperSport, SportyBet TV, and AfroSport.

Sports

Why I Won’t Let My Siblings Play In NPFL —Ex-Eagles Midfielder Haruna Lukman

Published

4 days ago

September 8, 2025

Editor

Former Super Eagles midfielder, Haruna Lukman , has stated that he will never recommend any of his siblings to play in the Nigerian league.

Speaking during an interview on The Abu Azeez Podcast and sighted by PUNCH Online on Monday, the ex-Nigerian international said the Nigerian league is characterised by match fixing, citing a recent match between Rivers FC against Ikorodu City.

“The Nigerian Premier League is very poor, I am very sorry to say. They do not respect the senior ones who played in Europe, because coming down to play in Nigeria, they need to show us some respect. It is not easy to win something abroad, and when you decide to come back home to play, they offer you peanuts.

“For me Nigerian league is out of it, because I don’t see the Nigerian league as a league. I watched a competition they played at Onikan, it was my first time witnessing it. I went to watch Rivers against Ikorodu City. I sat down at the VIP and witnessed all sorts of match fixing by the referees, favouring one team against the other. I can’t advise any of my siblings or any of my siblings to play in the Nigerian league, ” he said.

Sports

FULL LIST: 17 Nations Secure 2026 FIFA World Cup Spots

Published

4 days ago

September 8, 2025

Editor

As the excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 17 nations from around the world have officially secured their places in football’s most prestigious tournament. With the expanded 48-team format, qualification has taken on new intensity, and several countries have already emerged from their regional qualifiers victorious.

The three host nations—the United States, Mexico, and Canada—earned automatic qualification, setting the stage for an unprecedented North American joint-hosting.

This historic collaboration marks the first time the World Cup will be hosted across three countries, promising a diverse and wide-reaching celebration of the global game.

In Asia, Japan became the first team to secure qualification on March 20, 2025, followed closely by Iran on March 25. New Zealand clinched Oceania’s guaranteed spot with a decisive 3–0 victory over New Caledonia on March 24.

South America, as expected, saw heavyweights seal their places. Argentina qualified after a crucial draw between Uruguay and Bolivia on March 25. Later, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Colombia booked their places between June and early September, ensuring strong representation from the continent.

Of the countries on the radar, Australia remains the only nation yet to confirm qualification. The Socceroos are still fighting for a spot in the Asian qualifying rounds.

Current List of qualified nations

USA – Qualified (Host)
Mexico – Qualified (Host)
Canada – Qualified (Host)
Japan – Qualified (March 20, 2025)
New Zealand – Qualified (March 24, 2025)
Iran – Qualified (March 25, 2025)
Jordan qualified from Asia
South Korea qualified from Asia
Uzbekistan Qualified from Asia

Australia – Qualified (June 5, 2025)
Brazil – Qualified (June 10, 2025)
Ecuador – Qualified (June 10, 2025)
Uruguay – Qualified (Early September 2025)
Paraguay – Qualified (Early September 2025)
Colombia – Qualified (Early September 2025)
Argentina qualified in early September
Morocco qualified as the first country from CAF

With qualification ongoing in several confederations, the focus now shifts to Europe, Africa, and the remaining Asian teams. Football fans worldwide eagerly await the final list, promising an exciting 2026 World Cup filled with new rivalries and thrilling showdowns.