Author: News Room

Africa’s 35th Cup of Nations in Morocco will double as a coming‑of‑age stage for a new generation of African talent. These below, are a crop of U23 top 5 players who already have begun turning heads with their dynamic play at club level. From quick attackers to tireless midfield engines, the following five teenagers and twenty-somethings, drawn from both Europe’s big leagues and African club football, carry the hopes of their nations. AFCON 2025 the 35th edition promises to spotlight a host of amazing talents who possess the potential to become the next best things in Africa and the world.…

Rangers International of Enugu defeated Ikorodu City 2-1 on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in a Week 18 NPFL match. Godwin Obaje opened scoring in the 33rd minute, applying a deft touch to Kenechukwu Agu’s free-kick to beat the Ikorodu goalkeeper. Ikorodu pushed for an equaliser, but Rangers’ defence held firm, while the hosts failed to extend their advantage before half-time. Rangers maintained pressure after the break, with Obaje, Chidiebere Nwobodo and Agu leading attacking forays against the visitors. Nwobodo doubled the lead in the 75th minute, firing a direct shot past the helpless Ikorodu goalkeeper. Ikorodu pulled one…

As Nigerians head into 2026, President Bola Tinubu has declared his administration would defeat banditry and terrorism in the country. This was as Tinubu warned Nigerians against the intake of alcohol and becoming endangered to anybody’s life during the Yuletide season. Tinubu spoke while receiving organisers of Eyo Festival who paid homage to him at his Lagos residence, ahead of the Eyo Festival scheduled for December 27. He urged Nigerians to be moderate in their enjoyment during the Yuletide season. According to Tinubu: “I’m happy for this great cultural remembrance and rekindle of our culture, it’s a great honour to…

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has deepened, with the Kabiru Turaki (SAN)-led faction heading to court over the continued sealing of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. In a suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the faction is seeking an order compelling the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force to immediately unseal and vacate the PDP national headquarters, as well as all other party offices across the country. Court filings show that the request is contained in a Motion on Notice brought by the plaintiffs through their lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche…

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has appointed Mauritania’s Dahane Beida as centre referee for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group C encounter between Nigeria and Tanzania, DAILY POST reports. Beida is one of the experienced referees in Africa. The arbiter was in charge of Video Assistant Referee, VAR, during AFCON 2025’s opening game between hosts Morocco and Comoros on Sunday night. The Atlas Lions won the encounter 2-0 courtesy of goals from Brahim Díaz and Ayoub El Kaabi. The Super Eagles will take on Tanzania in Group C’s opening fixture at the Complexe Sportif de Fès on Tuesday.…

A US Congressional delegation has assured Nigeria that its designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over religious freedom will not weaken bilateral relations, but is meant to encourage reforms and constructive engagement. The delegation, led by Rep. Bill Huizenga, made the remarks on Sunday in Abuja at the end of a two-day visit during which they met with government officials, religious leaders, civil society groups, and private sector representatives. The visit was a sequel to U.S. President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria in October as a CPC over alleged threats to religious freedom in the country. Huizenga stressed…

A 48-year-old man, Makinde Rasaq, was arrested on Sunday by the Lagos State Task Force over an allegation of indiscriminate disposal of refuse. This was disclosed in a post made on Sunday by the state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, via his X handle. According to Wahab, the suspect is being held in custody at the Task Force office in Oshodi, Lagos State, for further processing. He wrote, “The individual named above was apprehended for indiscriminate disposal of refuse and is currently in custody at the Task Force Office, Oshodi, for further processing in line with…

The International Press Institute, Nigeria, on December 2, 2025, honoured the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi, while unveiling its first-of-its-kind Book of Infamy. In this book, two state governors and the Nigerian Inspector-General of Police were called out for serious violations of press freedom and democratic norms. The record, according to the President, IPI Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, is intended as a permanent accountability mechanism, documenting public officials whose actions undermine media freedom in Nigeria. It highlights repeated patterns of harassment, intimidation, or unlawful restriction of journalists and media organisations. In a country where genuine media analyses…

Turkish Airlines has officially opened its first-ever European lounge outside its İstanbul hub at Edinburgh Airport, bringing a new dimension of its world-renowned hospitality to travellers in Scotland and further strengthening Edinburgh’s status as an international gateway. According to a statement made available to The PUNCH on Sunday, the lounge was unveiled at a celebratory event held at Edinburgh International Airport earlier in December. The new facility is the airline’s eighth lounge outside Türkiye. The airline, which operates flights to more countries than any other carrier, said the new lounge reflects its strategy of exporting scaled-down versions of its five-star…

The Super Eagles held their fourth training session at their base in Fes, Morocco, on Sunday, ahead of their Group C clash against Tanzania in the 2025 AFCON on Tuesday, The PUNCH reports. Nigeria and Tanzania will face off at the Complex Sportif de Fes, in the first match of Group C on Tuesday. Following their arrival in Morocco last Thursday, the team began to put finishing touches to their preparation with two training sessions on Friday before more sessions on Saturday and Sunday. Before arriving in Morocco, the three-time African champions held a five-day camp in Egypt, where they…