Author: Press Room

Real Madrid have emerged as the latest European heavyweights monitoring Nigeria’s highly rated teenage defender Honest Ahanor, intensifying a transfer race led by Chelsea and Manchester City, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The 17-year-old Atalanta starlet has quickly become one of the most closely watched young defenders in Europe after an outstanding breakthrough season in Bergamo, according to a report by TeamTalk. Chelsea are understood to be leading the chase, having tracked Ahanor since his formative years at Genoa, but Madrid’s growing interest is expected to reshape strategic thinking around the youngster’s future. Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle are…

Morocco will open the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday with a chance to erase Nigeria’s long-standing record for the heaviest opening-day defeat in tournament history, Soccernet.ng reports. CAF has highlighted historic AFCON opening results ahead of this weekend’s kick-off, with Nigeria’s 5-1 loss to hosts Algeria in 1990 still standing as the worst defeat suffered in a tournament opener. That record could now fall when hosts Morocco face Comoros in Rabat. AFCON 2025 favourites Morocco. Photo by IMAGO Morocco are ranked 11th in the world, the highest-ranked African nation, while Comoros sit 108th, creating expectations of a…

The National Film and Video Censors Board has requested actress and filmmaker, Ini Edo, to modify the title of her film, ‘A Very Dirty Christmas’. The Board, in a statement issued by the Executive Director and CEO of the NFVCB, Shaibu Husseini, acknowledged concerns raised by the Christian Association of Nigeria and members of the public over the film’s title. The statement read, “Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity, and the Board is mindful of the importance of ensuring that films exhibited in the country do not undermine religious harmony or offend deeply held beliefs. The NFVCB clarifies that the…

Former England and Arsenal centre-forward Ian Wright has complained about the restrictions America’s new visa rule poses for West African nations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Soccernet.ng reports. According to the BBC, the United States President, Donald Trump, has expanded a US travel ban with the intention “to protect the security of the United States” and will come into force on 1 January. Full-entry restrictions will be imposed on people from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria, as well as Palestinian Authority passport holders. The administration also moved Laos and Sierra Leone, which were previously subject…

By Adeyinka Adedipe The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon Dennis Idahosa, has mandated the strengthening of Primary Healthcare facilities across rural areas of the state. He gave the directive while chairing the fourth quarterly meeting of the state Primary Health Care task force in Benin on Friday. In a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Friday Aghedo, Idahosa challenged local government chairmen to expand access to essential and accessible healthcare services for rural dwellers across the state. Idahosa noted that all hands must be on deck to ensure the successful implementation of the Measles-Rubella…

A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Abdullahi Isah, attached to 12PMF Minna, has allegedly shot himself dead during a routine arms audit, an official has said. The command’s Spokesman, SP Abiodun Wasiu, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Friday. Wasiu disclosed that Isah was initially arrested on Dec.15 “on suspicion of involvement in illegal dealings in ammunition.” He said on December 16, around 2:30 pm, he was taken to his office for a routine arms audit.He said that “unfortunately, while the audit process was ongoing, Isah picked a pistol from within the office…

With speculation growing around a possible 2026 crypto bull run, particularly if U.S. lawmakers finally introduce comprehensive crypto regulations, the period heading into Christmas is shaping up as the best time to load up on crypto if you believe in it.Bitcoin has stayed below the $90,000 level since Sunday, trading steadily above $87,000 over the past 24 hours.A key trend worth noting is Bitcoin’s steady decline in market dominance since summer. Historically, this shift often signals capital rotating from Bitcoin into altcoins. In this environment, projects such as XRP, Solana and Ethereum offer the best potential to grow value in…

Beşiktaş midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, has been appointed as the new captain of the Super Eagles ahead of the African Cup of Nations in Morocco. PUNCH Online reports that this was made known in a post on the Super Eagles’ handle on Friday. “Wilfred Ndidi has been named captain of the Super Eagles and says the responsibility means everything as Nigeria heads to Morocco,” the post read. Ndidi’s first assignment will be leading the three-time African champions as they push for glory at AFCON in Morocco. To achieve that, the player knows that unity is key and is rallying his teammates…

Super Eagles defender Kevin Akpoguma will leave German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim next year, putting an end to a 12-year association with the club, Soccernet.ng reports. ​Akpoguma joined Hoffenheim from Karlsruher in 2013. At the time, he was considered one of the top young prospects in German football. ​He started with the youth team and later went on multiple loan spells at Fortuna Dusseldorf and Hannover 96. Since the 2019/2020 season, he has been a regular at the club. ​However, his minutes have dropped drastically this season, which is quite surprising. He was a regular under Pellegrino Matarazzo last season, but…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has insisted it remains unfazed by what it called the “shallow criticisms” of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying recent political developments and high-profile defections have validated its national appeal. APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, stated this at the party’s 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. He said the ruling party’s focus was on strengthening its internal structures and ramping up organisational readiness ahead of the next electoral cycle. “Our objective remains to strengthen and galvanise party structures at all levels, and we are enhancing…