Author: Press Room

Italian Serie A giants have been linked with a move for Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, Soccernet.ng reports. ​The 26-year-old shot-stopper is coming off an impressive campaign with Udinese, having played a pivotal role in leading the club to a 10th-place finish in the Italian top flight. Okoye kept ten clean sheets in 30 Serie A appearances, often producing moments of sheer brilliance to keep his side competitive. Maduka Okoye makes a save (Photo by Imago) ​His performances have not gone unnoticed, as former league champions Juventus are keen to secure his services on a permanent deal. As they look…

Nigeria midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is set to play under a new manager next season after Lazio confirmed the appointment of former Italy international Gennaro Gattuso as the club’s head coach, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The Serie A club formally announced Gattuso’s arrival on Tuesday, weeks after he was first seen at Lazio’s training centre in Formello, Rome. The 48-year-old was spotted at the club’s facilities on June 3, where he reportedly held discussions with president Claudio Lotito and club directors over transfer plans and preparations for the new season. Although an agreement had reportedly been reached as far back as…

Nigeria U-20 winger Clinton Jephta has taken a major step in his career with a permanent move abroad, Soccernet.ng reports. The highly rated teenager began his career with Nigerian lower-league side FC One Rocket before his impressive performances earned him a move to Nigeria Premier Football League club Niger Tornadoes. He quickly emerged as one of the most promising youngsters in the Nigerian league, registering 11 goal contributions in his debut season. The 19-year-old also enjoyed a brief spell at Enyimba before returning to Niger Tornadoes, where he continued his development. Clinton Jephta. [Photo: NaijaBallers/X ] His impressive performances earned him a place…

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has called for an urgent meeting between domestic airline operators and President Bola Tinubu on charges and taxes, saying the Federal Government needs to understand better the challenges threatening the survival of airlines in the country. Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Monday, Onyema said airline operators were seeking an audience with the President to discuss issues affecting the aviation industry, particularly taxes and charges imposed on operators. “The time has come and I believe this government will listen, we are seeking an appointment with the president…

By Uthman Salami The Ogun State Government has commenced the evacuation of a dumpsite located along Sholu-Kajola Road, opposite Oja Agbe Market in Ifo Local Government Area, following a series of reports by PUNCH Metro highlighting the plight of residents in the area. Residents had, in separate interviews with our correspondent, repeatedly raised concerns about the dumpsite, describing it as a major health hazard and a source of discomfort for communities around the area. A PUNCH Metro report published on May 20 captured residents’ complaints about the deplorable condition of the market environment and the persistent stench emanating from the…

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has seen his contract with the Nigerian Football team extended following an extensive meeting with the National Sports Commission, Soccernet.ng reports. The Franco-Malian tactician was hired in January 2025 on a two-year contract that was set to expire at the end of 2026. While he didn’t achieve the delegated task of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there’s no disputing that the Super Eagles have improved under his tutelage. Chelle helped Nigeria to an unbeaten run at the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco and has now been handed an improved deal as a…

The candidate of the Action Alliance in Saturday’s Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election, Dr Douglas Fabeke, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, alleging widespread irregularities during the poll. Fabeke, who had earlier rejected the outcome of the election after INEC declared the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Olaka Nwogu, winner, called for an independent investigation into the conduct of some electoral officials and security personnel. In the petition dated June 22 and titled, “Complaint against alleged electoral misconduct, violence, intimidation, collusion and irregularities during Rivers South-East Senatorial District bye-election and demand for investigation,”…

Eric Chelle is set to continue as head coach of the Super Eagles after reaching an agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on a new contract, Soccernet.ng reports. Chelle initially took charge in January 2025 on a two-year deal, which was due to expire next year. However, his future had remained uncertain amid interest from clubs such as Algerian side MC Alger and several other African national teams. The Franco-Malian coach was originally appointed with the primary task of guiding the Super Eagles to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, Nigeria fell short after a slow start and eventually lost to…

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has expressed concern over the sharp decline in commercial bank credit to the manufacturing sector. It warned that the trend could undermine industrial growth, job creation, and economic diversification. The Director-General of MAN, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos while reacting to credit allocation data for 2025. According to him, “commercial bank credit to manufacturing fell by N1.92 trillion, from N8.53 trillion in December 2024 to N6.61 trillion in December 2025, representing a 22.5 per cent year-on-year contraction.” Ajayi-Kadir described the decline as disturbing, noting that manufacturing recorded…

Christabel Ndoeche Human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, has revealed that the man accused of assaulting an 18-year-old lady in a viral abuse video is now in police custody, while disclosing that she was taken away as a child and that her father was unaware of any alleged marriage. Gwamnishu disclosed the development in an update shared on Instagram on Tuesday, stating that preliminary findings also indicated that the lady identified as ‘Chisom’ was 15 years old when her relationship with the suspect reportedly began. The update follows a disturbing video that surfaced on Monday showing a visibly injured young woman,…