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‎Bendel Insurance Football Club on Monday unveiled new kits and former Plateau United and Akwa United Football tactician, Coach Kennedy Boboye, as the club’s new head coach, signaling a fresh chapter in the Benin Arsenal’s quest to reclaim their status among Nigeria’s football heavyweights.
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‎The unveiling ceremony, held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium’s Media Centre, Benin City, attracted top officials of the Edo State Sports Commission, club executives, supporters, and other stakeholders including Edo State Football Association chairman Fred Newton Erhunmwunsee and members.
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‎Speaking at the occasion, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, described Boboye’s appointment as a strategic move aimed at restoring the club’s competitive edge in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
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‎“This is not just about unveiling a coach.
‎It is a decisive step in rebuilding this great club into a consistent contender. Bendel Insurance is not a mid-table team. We are a club with a rich history with passionate supporters, and lofty ambitions,” Enabulele said.
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‎He explained that the management decided to part ways with the former coach following a string of poor results that left the team struggling in the lower half of the NPFL standings.
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‎“We just have to act in the club’s best interest. And we are not regretting that we took the right decision.
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‎Our fans and sponsors deserve more, and we are determined to deliver,” he added.” Enabulele said.
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‎Enabulele expressed confidence in Boboye’s pedigree, describing him as “a proven character and winner” with two NPFL titles to his name, and assured that the Edo State Government would provide full support to the new technician and the team.
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‎In his remarks, Bendel Insurance Chairman, Hon. Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, urged players to embrace discipline, unity, and focus under the new coach.
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‎”The new coach will instill tactical discipline and a winning mentality. If the players stay committed and follow his instructions, success will follow,” Tenebe said, adding that management remains committed to creating a conducive environment for success.
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‎Earlier in her welcome address, Permanent Secretary of the Edo State Sports Commission, Mrs. Efe Amenze, described the event as “historic,” thus reflecting a renewed drive for excellence within the club’s structure.
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‎Also speaking, representatives of the club’s board and supporters’ group pledged total support for Boboye and expressed optimism about the team’s possible rebound.
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‎The ceremony featured a brief highlight of Boboye’s career achievements, a presentation of the club’s branded caps to dignitaries, and warm ovations from fans.
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‎Boboye, a former Super Eagles striker, enjoyed a successful playing career with Sharks of Port Harcourt, Udoji United, and European sides SV Sterling and KFC Uerdingen. As a coach, he has managed several NPFL clubs including Sunshine Stars, Abia Warriors, Plateau United, Remo Stars, Akwa United, and Heartland FC—winning league titles with Plateau United (2017) and Akwa United (2021).
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‎He is expected to assume full duties immediately as Bendel Insurance intensifies preparations for upcoming NPFL fixtures in the week 9 engagement with Rivers United in Benin..
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‎With renewed optimism from management, players, and supporters, the Benin Arsenal are aiming for a strong resurgence and a return to continental football in the 2025 season.
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Three referees in Nigeria have been sanctioned for offences related to improper handling of matches assigned to them.

In week 8 matches of the NPFL, three of the referees who handled two different matches have been suspended indefinitely by the NFF Referees Committee.

While Mohammed B Tuta of Adamawa and Benue’s Ben Japhet, Referee and Assistant Referee 1, respectively of the Kano Pillars vs Shooting Stars game were punished for what the NFF Referees Committee accused them of “acting in manners outside the provisions of the laws of the game and brings the game into disrepute”, the letter signed by the Committee secretary, Ameenu Mohammed indicated that the Nassarawa against Rangers referee, Ikechukwu Taiwo of Rivers State was sanctioned for awarding “unjustified penalty” awarded.

The three referees were suspended indefinitely.

A Victor Osimhen hat-trick and a sensational pile-driver by substitute Frank Onyeka that ensured a 4-0 win over Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday evening was enough to send Nigeria to the Four-Team CAF Playoff Tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

The three-time African champions knew before kickoff that they would qualify automatically from Group C if they defeated Benin Republic by any margin and South Africa failed to defeat Rwanda in Nelspruit. However, Bafana Bafana raced to a 2-0 lead over the Amavubi at Mbombela, and not to be outdone, the Super Eagles also went into recess with two unreplied goals up on the Cheetahs at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

Victor Osimhen wasted no time registering his name on the scoresheet, as he latched onto a brilliant pass by Samuel Chukwueze to put Nigeria ahead in the second minute, sending goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou the wrong way.

Stanley Nwabali saved brilliantly from Steve Mounié as the Cheetahs broke forward in the 12th minute, but Nigeria kept probing and the relentless Osimhen saw his header go a little too high in the 21st minute.

Table-toppers Benin Republic broke forward again in the 28th minute but Nwabali punched Tosin Aiyegun’s effort from close range.

Osimhen, unstoppable, rose above everyone to nod home Nigeria’s second in the 36th minute, from a cross by Chukwueze.

Nigeria, dogged and determined coming into the second half, and knowing that their only route would be the playoff as South Africa continued to pummel Rwanda in Nelspruit, did not put their feet off the pedal.

Osimhen was on hand again to score the third goal, as the ball rocked the crossbar from Simon Moses’ free-kick from the right.

It was Osimhen’s 29th goal in 44 matches for Nigeria – a remarkable tally that means he will overtake ‘Goalsfather’ Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) at the pinnacle of Nigeria’s goals’ haul with nine more strikes.

As Nigeria continued to pour forward, Simon Moses, earning his 85th cap, saw his snapshot pushed to corner by Dandjinou in the 53rd minute, and in the 75th minute, Osimhen’s wonderful chested-pass freed Alex Iwobi for a shot, which was charged down by David Kiki.

Two minutes later, Osimhen headed powerfully from a Moses’ cross but the ball was punched away.

With 90 minutes on the clock, substitute Frank Onyeka rifled home a cross by Moses to give Nigeria a 4-0 win and passage to the continental playoff, which will take place in Morocco, 13th – 16th November.

Gabon and Cameroon are the two countries ahead of Nigeria presently in the new table for second-placed teams across the nine groups, going CAF’s new method of calculating the second-placed teams following the withdrawal of Eritrea from the race. Nigeria bagged 15 points with a goals’ difference of plus seven, as against Burkina Faso’s 15 points and goals’ difference of plus six.

Only the group winners are automatically through to the finals in North America next summer.

Either Burkina Faso or the Democratic Republic of Congo (playing at home to Sudan on Tuesday night) will join the trio for the battles of Morocco next month.

The winner in Morocco will proceed to the Six-Team Intercontinental Playoff, scheduled for the Mexican cities of Guadalaja and Monterrey in March next year, where two teams will emerge and qualify for the finals in USA, Canada and Mexico.

The winner from the African playoff will be joined by Bolivia, New Caledonia and two teams from Central America, and one from Asia.

By Silvernews

Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup remain alive after a commanding 4–0 victory over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Leading the charge was Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, a proud product of Coach Emmanuel Amunike’s football system, who delivered a stunning hat-trick performance for the Super Eagles.

The Edo State-born forward opened scoring early with a smart finish from a tight angle, before doubling Nigeria’s lead late in the first half through his trademark aerial header. He completed his hat-trick shortly after the restart, powering home another header to send the crowd into wild celebration.
Midfielder Frank Onyeka added the icing on the cake with a brilliant long-range strike late in the game, sealing an emphatic 4–0 win for Nigeria.
However, despite the big win, the Super Eagles’ qualification hopes remain uncertain following South Africa’s 3–0 victory over Rwanda in the group’s other fixture. Nigeria must now wait for confirmation from FIFA to determine whether they advance to the World Cup playoff stage.
Osimhen’s brilliance once again highlights the lasting impact of Coach Emmanuel Amunike’s football system, which continues to produce world-class talents for Nigeria.

By Silvernews

The 2025/26 ENIC Tennis League matchday-one, Saturday, October 11th 2025, began on a solemn note, as players, officials, and fans across all match centers observed a one-minute silence in honour of the late President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Engr. Ifedayo Akindiju, who passed away recently.

Despite the somber start, the day produced exciting tennis across the region. The tournament commenced with four groups A-D. In Group B, Standard Tennis Development Club (STDC) playing home in Owerri marked Port Harcourt Club’s return to the elite league in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 5–0 victory. The Owerri side dominated all rubbers, showcasing their strength and depth on home courts.
In Group A, Recreation Club Orlu at home edged Owerri Sports Club 3–2 in a thrilling encounter, while Oguta Recreation Club defeated Safari Recreation Club by the same 3–2 margin after a fierce five-match battle.
Over in Group C, Onitsha Country Club maintained their fine run, dispatching Enugu Sports Club 4–1 to consolidate their position in the standings.

Following the matches, ENIC Chief Referee and Chairman, Technical Sub-Committee, Mr. Akagha Samuel, alongside other officials led by the ENIC Chairman, Deacon Ugboaja Onyekwere Samuel, commended all clubs for their professionalism and respect during the moment of silence, as well as for their spirited performances throughout the day.
“It was a day of reflection and sportsmanship. We thank God for a successful outing and pray for the peaceful repose of our late NTF President. May the Almighty continue to guide and bless the tennis family,” Mr. Akagha said.
The ENIC Tennis League continues next weekend with more top-level clashes as teams battle for qualification spots in their respective groups.

The qualifying Clubs from the Group Stages will proceed to the quarterfinals, whose winners will now play the Super-4 Finals in February 12th to 15th 2026.

By Wakawaka Sports

Newcomers Kun Khalifat FC grabbed the headlines on Matchday 8 of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after a stunning 1–0 victory over former African champions Enyimba International in one of the weekend’s standout results.
Playing before their home fans, the newly promoted side showed discipline, confidence, and tactical maturity as they handed Enyimba their second loss of the season — a result that firmly announced Kun Khalifat’s arrival among Nigeria’s elite.
In Lafia, Nasarawa United continued their fine run of form with a hard-fought 2–1 win over Rangers International, while Ikorodu City edged Bendel Insurance 1–0 in Lagos to maintain their impressive home record.
At the Umuahia Township Stadium, Abia Warriors made no mistake against El-Kanemi Warriors, cruising to a 2–0 victory. In Kano, Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars battled to a 1–1 draw in a highly entertaining northern derby.
Plateau United also proved too strong at home, dispatching Barau FC 2–0 to stay within touching distance of the top spot. Down south, Warri Wolves were held 1–1 by Niger Tornadoes, while Wikki Tourist and Kwara United shared the spoils in another 1–1 affair in Bauchi.
The fireworks in Katsina saw Katsina United record one of their best performances of the campaign, thrashing Remo Stars 3–1 before a jubilant home crowd.
The matchweek will conclude on Monday, October 13, 2025, as Rivers United take on Bayelsa United in Port Harcourt — a South-South derby that promises to be fiercely contested.