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  • Tinubu Hails Rangers After Clinching 9th NPFL Title, Commends Rivers United

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Rangers International FC on winning the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title for a record ninth time.

    The President also praised the club’s managers, players, and supporters for their consistency throughout the season, which saw them finish top of the table with 68 points in 38 matches.

    Tinubu Celebrates Historic Achievement

    In a statement issued by the State House, Tinubu described the victory as a continuation of the club’s rich football legacy, recalling Rangers’ dominance in the 1970s and 1980s.

    He referenced their historic performances in continental competitions, including their 1975 African Cup of Champions Clubs final appearance and the 1977 African Cup Winners’ Cup triumph.

    The President also commended Peter Mbah for what he described as strategic investments in youth and sports development that contributed to the club’s success.

    Praise For Rivals Rivers United

    Tinubu further applauded Rivers United FC for their strong performance throughout the season, describing them as worthy competitors who showed good sportsmanship.

    He noted that both clubs will represent Nigeria in the next CAF Champions League season and urged them to fly the country’s flag high on the continental stage.

    “I am proud of their achievement,” the President said.

  • Ex-Super Eagles Striker Eneramo Dies After Collapse During Match

    Former Super Eagles striker Michael Eneramo has died after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest during a friendly match in Kaduna, the Nigeria Football Federation confirmed on Friday. He was 40.

    Collapse during match

    Eneramo reportedly slumped on the pitch five minutes into the second half, prompting immediate medical attention from officials at the venue.

    Despite efforts to revive him, he was later confirmed dead, sending shockwaves through Nigeria’s football community.

    NFF reacts to tragic loss

    Reacting to the development, NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, described the incident as devastating.

    He extended condolences to the family of the late striker and the wider football community affected by the loss.

    Career and national impact

    Eneramo earned 10 caps for Nigeria and was part of the squad during the qualification campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

    He is particularly remembered for scoring in a crucial 2-2 draw against Tunisia during the qualifiers.

    At club level, he built a reputation as a powerful forward, enjoying a successful spell with Tunisian giants Esperance, where he was nicknamed “The Tank” by fans.

    He also featured in leagues across Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Turkey during a career that spanned several years.

    His death marks a painful moment for Nigerian football, as tributes begin to pour in from fans and former teammates in latest Nigerian news and breaking news Nigeria today.

     

  • 2026 World Cup: 42 Teams Confirmed, Six Spots Still Up for Grabs

    Forty-two countries have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Six spots remain — four through European playoffs and two via intercontinental playoffs in Mexico.

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification race is entering its final stretch, with 42 of the tournament’s 48 available spots already filled and the remaining six set to be decided within days through playoffs in Europe and Mexico.

    The tournament, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June to July 2026, will be the largest in World Cup history — expanding from 32 teams to 48 for the first time.

    Nigeria did not qualify, having been eliminated from the African qualifying round. The Super Eagles’ absence is a significant blow for Nigerian football fans, many of whom will be watching the tournament as neutral supporters.

    Teams already qualified

    The 42 confirmed nations span all six confederations. Africa has nine representatives: Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia. South America has six: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Europe’s confirmed 12 are Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, and Switzerland. Asia has eight: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Uzbekistan. Concacaf contributed three: Curaçao, Haiti, and Panama. New Zealand represents Oceania, while hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States qualify automatically.

    The remaining six spots

    Four of the six remaining places will go to European nations, determined through a 16-team playoff. The teams still in contention are Slovakia, Kosovo, Denmark, Ukraine, Turkey, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Wales, Albania, Czechia, Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, and Northern Ireland.

    The final two spots will be settled at the intercontinental playoff in the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey, where Bolivia, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, Congo, and Suriname will compete for the last two berths.

    How the 48 spots were distributed

    FIFA allocated the expanded berths as follows: three automatic spots to the host nations; eight to Asia; nine to Africa through group winners in nine qualifying groups; three direct spots and two intercontinental playoff places to Concacaf; 16 to Europe across group winners and a playoff round; one guaranteed spot to Oceania; and six direct spots plus one intercontinental playoff place to South America. Two final spots go to the intercontinental playoff winners.

    Nigeria’s absence

    The Super Eagles failed to qualify after a disappointing campaign in the African qualifying zone, finishing behind their group rivals and missing out on a place at a tournament Nigeria last attended in 2018 in Russia. The absence marks a continued struggle for the team to recapture the consistency of earlier generations.

    Nigeria’s last World Cup appearance ended in the Round of 16, where they were beaten by Argentina. With the 2026 edition just months away, the Nigerian Football Federation faces mounting pressure to overhaul the national team’s approach ahead of the 2030 qualifying campaign.

    The European and intercontinental playoffs are scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2026, at which point the full 48-team lineup will be confirmed. The 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match is scheduled for June 11 in Mexico City. RNN.NG will publish a full preview of Nigeria’s African rivals once the final lineup is confirmed.