Sports

Super Eagles soar to 26th, highest FIFA ranking in 16 years

Published

3 weeks ago

January 20, 2026

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have climbed to 26th in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings, their highest position in 16 years, following a strong run at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, The PUNCH reports.

Hosts Morocco also broke into the top 10 for the first time since 1998, reflecting the significant impact of the tournament on African football.

Eric Chelle’s boys were among the biggest movers in the January 2026 FIFA ranking, rising 12 places after securing the bronze medal in the continental competition.

Their previous highest ranking was in May 2010, when they were ranked 21st in the world.

Nigeria played seven matches during the ranking window, recording six wins and one loss.

Their campaign included a 4–0 victory over Mozambique in the round of 16, a 2–0 quarter-final win against Algeria and a dramatic semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco on penalties after a goalless draw.

The Eagles bounced back in the third-place match, holding Egypt to another scoreless draw before winning 4–2 on penalties to secure the bronze medal.

FIFA confirmed that Nigeria gained 79.09 ranking points, the highest points increase of any nation in the latest update, which underlines the impact of their AFCON performances.

Morocco, despite losing the final to Senegal in extra time, climbed three places to eighth, their highest-ever position and their first return to the top 10 since April 1998.

Senegal’s triumph saw them rise seven places to 12th, also a national best.

At the top of the ranking, Spain remain number one, followed by world champions Argentina and France.

Morocco’s rise into the top 10 came at the expense of Croatia, Belgium and Germany, who all dropped places.

Elsewhere in Africa, Cameroon and Nigeria recorded the joint biggest climb by ranking positions, each moving up 12 places, while Algeria rose to 28th, Egypt to 31st and Ivory Coast to 37th.

CAF now has nine teams inside the world’s top 50, two more than at the end of 2025.

The next edition of the FIFA men’s world ranking will be released on April 1, 2026.

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Sports

UK-based Nigerian footballer, Saburi Adeniji dies after suffering brain injury

Published

3 days ago

February 8, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerian footballer Saburi Olayinka Adeniji has died in the United Kingdom after suffering a severe brain injury, sparking an outpouring of grief from teammates, fans and members of the Nigerian football community.

Adeniji, a winger who played for non-league side Kings Park Rangers in Halstead, Essex, passed away in hospital on Friday after being admitted to intensive care with a serious brain stem injury.

He was reported to have collapsed and was hospitalised on January 25.

It was learnt that the footballer had battled for days while receiving specialist medical care. His wife and four-year-old daughter travelled from Nigeria to be by his side but arrived a day after his death.

The club confirmed the tragic development in a statement, describing Adeniji as a dedicated player and a valued member of the team.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our number 17, Saburi Adeniji ‘Ola’. He fought bravely and will always be remembered as a King. He was deeply loved by everyone at the club,” the statement read.

Tributes have continued to pour in across social media, with many describing Adeniji as humble, hardworking and passionate about the game. Fellow players and supporters expressed sorrow over the timing of his death, particularly the fact that his family narrowly missed seeing him before he passed on.

Adeniji’s death has renewed conversations within the football community about player welfare, medical response and support systems for athletes competing at lower levels of the game.

Further details surrounding funeral arrangements are yet to be announced by the family.

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Sports

Guardiola slams EFL rule as Guéhi is ruled out of Carabao Cup final

Published

7 days ago

February 5, 2026

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Pep Guardiola has called on the English Football League to change its rules to allow Manchester City defender Marc Guéhi to play in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.

Guéhi is currently ineligible for the final at Wembley on March 22 after joining City from Crystal Palace following their 2-0 victory over Newcastle in the first leg of the semi-final.

As reported by BBC on Thursday, Carabao Cup regulations state that players must be registered prior to the closure of the winter transfer window or before the first leg of the semi-final, whichever comes sooner, in order to be eligible to play in the competition.

As a result, the England centre-back missed both legs of City’s 5-1 aggregate win over Newcastle and is also set to miss the final.

Speaking after Wednesday’s second-leg victory, Guardiola questioned the logic of the rule and confirmed the club would ask the EFL to reconsider Guéhi’s eligibility.

“Hopefully we can convince the Carabao Cup that Marc can play the final.

“I don’t understand why he cannot play the final. You buy a player for a lot of money and he is not able to play because of a rule I don’t understand,” Guardiola said.

City’s other January signing, Antoine Semenyo, was eligible for the semi-final after arriving from Bournemouth four days before the first leg, and went on to score in that match.

“Antoine arrived before the first game so he could play. “Now it’s the final. Why should Marc not play? We pay his salary, he is our player,” he added.

Guardiola also pointed to the fact that City have already benefited from a rule change this season that removed traditional cup-tying restrictions, allowing players to represent more than one club in the competition.

That amendment allowed Semenyo and defender Max Alleyne to feature in the semi-finals despite having appeared for Bournemouth and Watford earlier in the tournament.

Asked whether he expected the EFL to grant City’s request, Guardiola said he was doubtful but confirmed the club would still make an approach.

“No,” he said. “But we will try.”

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Sports

Morocco remains 2026 WAFCON host, says S’Africa’s minister

Published

1 week ago

February 2, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, has dismissed reports suggesting that the country has been confirmed as the new host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

According to a statement issued on Monday, the minister stated that “no formal decision” has been taken to replace Morocco.

McKenzie reaffirmed that Morocco remains the official host of the tournament, which is scheduled to kick off on March 17.

The minister was responding to comments credited to the Deputy Minister of Sport, Peace Mabel, who had claimed that South Africa had taken over hosting rights after Morocco allegedly withdrew from the competition with just five weeks to the start date.

Mabel had said Morocco pulled out of hosting the WAFCON and that South Africa was ready to step in.

However, McKenzie clarified that South Africa has merely expressed readiness to assist the Confederation of African Football if the need arises.

According to him, South Africa “has only indicated its willingness to support CAF if alternative hosting arrangements become necessary.”

He explained that such measures “are part of CAF’s routine contingency planning” ahead of major tournaments.

“At this stage, no formal decision has been taken to relocate the tournament, and Morocco remains the official designated host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. CAF has not activated any alternative hosting process,” the statement said.

McKenzie added that for South Africa to host the tournament, several requirements must be met, including CAF’s formal approval, clearance from the cabinet, and the availability and readiness of venues and supporting infrastructure.

It was reports that Morocco is poised to host the WAFCON for the third consecutive time, with the tournament set to run from March 17 to April 3.

The North African country finished as runners-up in the last two editions, losing to South Africa in the 2022 final and to Nigeria’s Super Falcons in 2024.

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