Author: Press Room

Cyriel Dessers has made an unusual decision during the international break, personally contacting Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle to ask permission to stay in Athens rather than join the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports. According to Greek outlet Sport24, Dessers wanted to continue his recovery and preparation with Panathinaikos after recently returning from injury. The 31-year-old believed remaining at the club would allow him to work under the Panathinaikos medical and coaching staff without the added demands of international travel and two competitive matches. Nigeria accepted his request. The decision stands out because Dessers was not simply unavailable for selection. He…

Dozens of delegates walked out of the United Nations General Assembly hall in New York on Thursday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address, during which he defended Israel’s military action against Iran. Netanyahu was seen approaching the podium as several delegations left the hall. The walkout came after the Palestinian Mission to the UN urged representatives to leave during Netanyahu’s address. Reacting to the departure, Netanyahu said, “If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t left the hall, please do so now.” Defending Israel’s military action against Iran, he said targeting the country’s nuclear facilities was…

Fawzi Kehinde The Canadian government has warned its citizens travelling to Nigeria against consuming unregulated and adulterated alcohol, following reports of casualties linked to drinks containing high levels of methanol. The warning was contained in an updated travel advisory published in the “Safety and security” section of the Travel Advice and Advisories for Nigeria page on the official government website, a copy of which was obtained by PUNCH Online on Thursday. According to the advisory, “Casualties have occurred due to the consumption of unregulated and adulterated alcohol containing high levels of methanol.” The Canadian government advised travellers to “buy alcohol…

The Super Eagles are in their final training session ahead of Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar on Thursday, with Éric Chelle putting finishing touches to his plans for the Group L opener, Soccernet.ng reports. Nigeria have spent the week preparing in Uyo after opening camp with players arriving from their respective clubs. Chelle initially worked with 23 players in Tuesday’s first full training session, with goalkeeper Maduka Okoye the only invited player yet to join the group after receiving permission to attend to family and personal matters. The Udinese goalkeeper has arrived camp, meaning Chelle has…

Author Ahmed Barakat Author Ahmed Barakat Part of the Team Since Mar 2024 About Author Ahmed Barakat is a journalist and copywriter based in Georgia with a growing focus on blockchain technology, DeFi, AI, privacy, digital assets, and fintech innovation. Share Last updated:  September 24, 2026 On Thursday, September 24, 2026, Bitcoin (BTC) consolidated around the $84,500 level, slipping 1.94% over 24 hours as macroeconomic pressures and rising bond yields cooled risk-on momentum. Despite the short-term pullback from Monday’s peak of $87,300, BTC retains a solid 10% gain on the weekly chart, demonstrating resilience ahead of a major options expiry.Macro…

The Central Bank of The Gambia has ordered commercial banks to replace non-Gambian employees who are not covered by approved expatriate quotas, a move that has sparked criticism over what some observers see as a retreat from West Africa’s free-movement ideals. The regulator has given banks until 31 December, 2026 to replace the affected workers with qualified Gambian nationals. The order covers all commercial banks operating in the country, including Nigerian-owned lenders such as Access Bank, FirstBank, Guaranty Trust Bank and Zenith Bank, alongside other regional institutions including Ecobank. The Central Bank of The Gambia said the decision followed an…

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has warned Madagascar that Nigeria will be determined to make the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium an uncomfortable venue for the Barea when the two teams meet in Friday’s 2027 AFCON qualifier, Soccernet.ng reports. Nigeria will begin their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo on Friday, with Éric Chelle’s side targeting a winning start to their Group L campaign. Ndidi, who is expected to captain the Super Eagles in the crucial encounter, stressed the importance of starting the qualifying campaign on a positive note. “The first qualifying game is so important because it sets…

Nigeria earned N998.50bn from petrol exports, known as motor spirit (ordinary) or Premium Motor Spirit, in the first six months of 2026. Analysts say the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s ramp-up and the war in Iran turned a commodity that once topped the import bill into one of the country’s leading exports. The National Bureau of Statistics’ trade statistics report, released in the second quarter of 2026, showed that N621.72bn of earnings came from African trading partners. In Q2 2026, PMS ranked seventh among Nigeria’s top exports with N546.02bn, a 2.02 per cent share of total exports. Crude oil led with N12.91tn…

Chima Azubuike The Gombe Women Agenda on Wednesday mobilised religious and traditional leaders, as well as other critical stakeholders, to support its campaign for greater inclusion of women in governance and decision-making ahead of the 2027 general elections. The convener of the group, Ibrahim Yusuf, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement in Gombe, where the group presented its proposed charter of demands for women in the state. Yusuf said the Gombe Women Agenda, an umbrella body comprising more than 100 women’s organisations, was established to harmonise women’s concerns and engage political aspirants ahead of the 2027 elections. He said, “We…

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign when they face Madagascar on Friday, September 25, Soccernet.ng reports. Eric Chelle’s side will welcome the Barea to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00pm Nigerian time. The Group L encounter represents Nigeria’s first competitive fixture since their third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and comes with plenty at stake. Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at AFCON 2027 as one of the tournament’s co-hosts, leaving Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau competing for the group’s remaining qualification spot.…