That Nigerian players are blessed with technique is never in doubt. In fact, their technical abilities marvel Europeans and other football nations. They are usually likened to those of Brazil, the kings of the game of soccer.

World football governing body FIFA has now set August 7 as the new date for the Draw Ceremony of the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals, which Nigeria will host October/November this year.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have dropped to the 34th spot in the July edition of the FIFA world rankings that have Confederations Cup winners, Brazil returning to the top on Wednesday, for the first time since August 2007, by jumping four places and knocking European champions Spain down to second spot.

Despite suffering a Federation Cup q-final defeat to Enyimba, Shooting Stars Chief Coach Franklin Howard says the team has come to stay, stressing that Tuesday’s result confirms the fact that 3SC can hold its own against the big boys of Nigerian football.

The national beach soccer team, otherwise known as ‘Supersand Eagles’ mauled their counterparts from Mauritius 13-0 in their first match of the African Beach Soccer Championship in Durban, South Africa yesterday.
Veteran striker Isiaka Olawale hit six goals past the hapless Mauritian goalkeeper as he nonchallantly announced his fourth appearance at the continental championship.