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FIFA has confirmed the match officials for Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against Lesotho and Benin Republic.

For the Matchday 9 clash against Lesotho, scheduled for Friday, October 10, 2025, at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, Chadian referee Alhadi Allaou Mahamat will take charge. Mahamat also officiated Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Uyo on September 6. He will be assisted by compatriots Bogola Issa (Assistant Referee 1), Moussa Hafiz (Assistant Referee 2), and Abdelkerim Ousmane (Fourth Official). Kenyan official Alice Damaris Kimani has been named Referee Assessor, while William Makinati Shongwe from eSwatini will serve as Match Commissioner.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are third on Group C standings with 11 points, currently trailing group leaders Benin Republic and second-placed South Africa by three points.

Victory is crucial to boosting their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Under-fire Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim celebrated his 50th game in charge with a much-needed 2-0 victory over Sunderland at Old Trafford, a result that eased growing pressure on the Portuguese manager.

Amorim, whose tenure has been under intense scrutiny following a string of inconsistent performances, saw his side deliver a composed and clinical display. Mason Mount opened the scoring after just eight minutes, giving United the perfect platform with his first goal of the season. It was the earliest United had scored in the Premier League since Marcus Rashford struck in the second minute against Ipswich in Amorim’s debut match last November.

Benjamin Sesko doubled United’s advantage with a sharp close-range finish as the home side looked in control throughout. At the other end, Amorim’s decision to hand a debut to £18.1m signing Senne Lammens paid off, with the Belgian goalkeeper keeping United’s first clean sheet of the season.

Sunderland were briefly handed a lifeline when awarded a penalty just before half-time, but the decision was overturned by VAR after replays showed Sesko had not made contact with Trai Hume, as initially judged. In a reign previously defined by grim statistics, Amorim finally has some positives to cling to. United recorded a third consecutive home win for the first time in over two years and extended their formidable record against Sunderland, having now lost just once in their last 31 home meetings with the Black Cats.

The milestone win also saw Amorim become the first United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson to win his 50th game in charge – a symbolic achievement not lost on the Old Trafford crowd, who serenaded him with a rousing rendition of their ‘Ruben Amorim’ chant.

For Amorim, this result won’t silence all the doubters – but it offers a much-needed reprieve and a foundation to build on amid continued speculation over his future.

Tunde Adeleye, Former Archbishop of the Province of Niger Delta in the Anglican Communion, has asserted that claims by Nigerian leaders of a better tomorrow were all a hoax.

Adeleye made the call in Calabar while reacting to the Independence Day speech of the President. Bola Tinubu.

The clergy man who was once Chairman Christian Council of Nigeria said the idea of telling Nigerians to endure momentary hardship for a better tomorrow was the same tale all the former leaders told Nigerians, yet things have remained the same

This was the same statement made by the late Former President. Mohammadu Buhari and even those before him, and when they left office, nothing changed,’ he said.

He noted that it was deceptive for anyone to say things were going well in Nigeria after 65 years, because we all know that we are not doing well as a nation.

He said his personal opinion was that Nigerians were deliberately being punished by the leadership at all levels in the nation.

‘Another falsehood peddled in the nation is that the youths are the future of Nigeria, just to keep them docile, because the same story was told to the youths over 20 years ago by the people who are still in power.

‘These leaders are still holding on to power for years, so, when exactly will the youths take charge in this nation? He enquired. On his part, Mr Richard Inoyo, Country Director, Citizens Solution Network, said Nigeria’s Independence Day was only celebrated by those in the presidency, governors, senators and other appointees of government.

He said the vast majority of Nigerians had nothing to celebrate because the only thing they had seen was the transfer of leadership from foreigners to locals with any corresponding dividends.

‘I drove through town yesterday and didn’t see Nigerians holding the green white green flag as it used to be because there was a sense of detachment in the air. In fact, if anything, October 1st is now a source of anger to the majority of Nigerians.

‘What we have now we say leadership that tells struggling Nigerians not to worry that it will be fine while they live in abundance wealth and luxury,’ he said.

Speaking further, Inoyo said Nigerians no longer believe in the speeches of the leaders because both the young and old in Nigeria are going through severe hardship in the nation, irrespective of what the leaders are saying.

According to him, it is not about talking of the healthcare and education sector when the leaders and their wards travel abroad to access these services or even security, when an average Nigerian can hardly sleep with his two eyes closed.

He added that as long as the 65th Independence Day was concerned, Nigeria is divided into two, the ordinary Nigerians bearing the brunt of hardship every day and those on the other side feeding fat on the sweat of the average Nigerians.

Sheriff Oborevwori, Delta State Governor has frowned over the use of small-scale dredgers in the construction of Asaba Waterfront project, attributing it to the delay experienced in completion and delivery of the project.

According to him, the road infrastructure is critical for unlocking the economic potential of the waterfront, as it would open up access for investors.

The ambitious waterfront development, one of the state’s flagship urban renewal projects, features the construction of a six-lane dual carriageway awarded to two firms, Fokland and North China Construction Limited.

However, when Governor Oborevwori in company of Emomotimi Guwor, the speaker of the state House of Assembly inspected the project site, on Friday, he observed that the road component was about 85 percent completed while dredging activities were delayed.

Oborevwori whose tenure as Delta governor began May 29, 2023, recalled, ‘When I came in, this project had already been awarded to North China Construction Limited, but there was no mobilisation. That delay affected progress. We had to mobilise them, and I personally came for inspection on January 16 this year.’

‘We have done our part. We awarded the contract, fulfilled our obligations under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU,) and paid full compensation. We are not owing anyone, contractors or the community but I am disappointed that dredging which is the core of the waterfront development, is yet to commence. He warned that reliance on small-scale local dredgers would be grossly inadequate for the scope of work, saying; ‘if they want to use local dredgers, even in 20 years they cannot achieve it. They need to bring in an English cutter dredger. That’s my advice.’

The governor also faulted the absence of contractors during the inspection, stressing that critical decisions on timelines and equipment deployment remain unresolved.

Oborevwori said: ‘Asaba is now a busy city and people are ready to invest. Once this place is completed, it will look like Eko Atlantic. We are all eager to see the end of it, a place where people can own beautiful properties and do business.’

He restated his administration’s commitment to the MOU guiding the project and maintained that government has kept its side of the bargain.

‘We are on track because we have kept our promise. It’s now up to the investors-North China Construction Limited and Folkland Limited to keep theirs. You know, I’m a promise keeper,’ he declared.

The Asaba Waterfront Project is envisioned to transform the state capital into a thriving commercial and residential hub, comparable to modern developments in other major Nigerian cities.

With road infrastructure nearing completion, the spotlight now falls on the contractors to deliver the dredging phase and move the project closer to reality.

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has inaugurated a solar electrification project at the Dutse Ultra-Modern Market, fulfilling his Administration’s pledge to provide clean and reliable energy for traders and others users.

The project, executed by the Jigawa State Economic Empowerment and Youth Employment Agency, connects 300 shops to power from solar panels installed within the market, with each shop also fitted with a solar-powered ceiling fan at no cost.

Speaking at the official unveiling at the market, the governor said the initiative would ease business operations, reduce expenses and boost the profitability of traders. ‘Today, by the power and mercy of Allah, we have been able to fulfill the promise we made a year ago that we would provide the shops in Dutse Market with electricity powered by solar energy.

‘Three hundred shops have each been connected and provided with solar-powered fans. This will ease business activities, and by the grace of Allah, increase the profits of traders as they will no longer pay electricity bills and will enjoy uninterrupted supply’, he noted. Part of the project, the installation of the solar grid, was inaugurated last year by Vice President Kashim Shettima during an official visit to the State and the State Government had at the time promised to extend connections to individual stalls.

The governor further pledged to install solar streetlights in the market to enhance security and highlighted other measures to support businesses in Jigawa State, which include facilitating the establishment of a Bank of Industry (BOI) branch in the State and signing of an MoU with the bank, through which the State Government injected ?4 billion to support small-scale enterprises. Governor Namadi further urged entrepreneurs and traders in the State to take advantage of this facility and access the funds available through the BOI to expand their businesses.

Earlier, Yahaya Ibrahim, Chairman of the Jigawa State Traders’ Association, expressed appreciation to the governor for providing the market with solar power and for the various empowerment programmes extended to traders, adding that the market electrification project was only the beginning of Governor Namadi’s planned interventions for traders in the State.

Brazilian teenager Estevao scored a dramatic 95th-minute winner to seal a 2-1 win for Chelsea over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, handing the visitors their third straight defeat in all competitions.

Liverpool came into the match looking to rebound from losses to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, which had seen them relinquish top spot in the Premier League to Arsenal. However, their struggles continued as Chelsea delivered a deserved win, capped by Estevao’s late strike.

Moises Caicedo opened the scoring for the hosts in the 14th minute, firing a powerful 20-yard effort past Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was filling in for the injured Alisson.

Under-pressure Liverpool head coach Arne Slot opted to bench £116 million summer signing Florian Wirtz, but brought him on at the start of the second half in search of a spark. The equaliser eventually came in the 62nd minute, with Cody Gakpo reacting quickly in the six-yard box to finish after Alexander Isak flicked on Dominik Szoboszlai’s cross. Chelsea pressed on and Mamardashvili was called into action late on, making crucial saves to deny Estevao and Jamie Gittens. Enzo Fernandez then missed a golden chance to snatch victory in stoppage time, heading against the outside of the post with the goal gaping.

Just when it seemed the points would be shared, Estevao struck in the final seconds, getting ahead of Andrew Robertson to turn in Marc Cucurella’s cross, sparking jubilant scenes at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca was sent off for racing down the touchline in celebration.

The result leaves Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table, one point clear of Liverpool, after the Gunners defeated West Ham United earlier on Saturday

Nigerians are now among the biggest foreign landlords in Britain, joining Indians at the top of the UK rental market as property investments surge.

When Lagos entrepreneur Chika Okeke and bought her first buy-to-let flat in Manchester last year, she wasn’t chasing prestige. She was chasing stability. ‘The system here is clear, the rental demand is strong, and the property pays for itself,’ she told told Times UK.

She is part of a powerful wave of Nigerians reshaping Britain’s rental property market. Alongside Indians, Nigerians now dominate UK buy-to-let company ownership.

Fresh data from estate agency Hamptons shows that in the first half of 2025, Nigerians set up 647 buy-to-let companies, second only to Indians, who established 684. Together, both groups have topped the rankings for three years in a row, ahead of Poles and other European migrants who once led the space.

Why the UK?

The appeal is simple: transparency and yields. In Nigeria, investors grapple with opaque land registries, erratic policies, and unreliable tenants. In the UK, rental yields in northern cities reach 9-10 per cent, compared with an average of 7 per cent nationwide.

‘You can buy a house in Leeds and have tenants lined up immediately,’ said Uche Eze, a Nigerian mortgage broker in Birmingham. ‘Back home in Lekki, you might wait months to collect rent. Nigerians see the difference and move fast.’

Migration and money

The surge mirrors migration flows. Between 2019 and 2023, 127,000 more Nigerians and 178,000 more Indians arrived in the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics. As these groups settle, many are using property investment as both a wealth-building tool and a hedge against economic volatility back home.

For affluent families in Lagos and Mumbai, UK property doubles as accommodation for children in school and a long-term rental income stream. For professionals in the diaspora, it is the fastest route to building generational wealth. The tax edge

The smart money is in company structures. Buying through a limited company allows landlords to deduct 100 per cent of mortgage interest and expenses, while paying 19-25 per cent corporation tax instead of up to 45 per cent income tax.

‘Serious investors don’t buy in their personal names anymore,’ explained Bola Adebayo, a Nigerian property consultant in London. ‘The company route makes the numbers add up.’

Hurdles in the market

Yet the market is not without obstacles. Non-UK residents now pay a 7 per cent stamp duty surcharge, while buy-to-let mortgage rates have risen from 3.25% in 2021 to over 5.2% today. By 2028, landlords will also have to upgrade properties to meet higher energy efficiency standards.

‘It’s costly,’ said Okeke, who is already budgeting for energy upgrades. ‘But compared to the uncertainty at home, it’s still a better deal.’

As Strategy that endures

Despite the headwinds, Nigerians and Indians remain the most aggressive foreign landlords in Britain. Average rents in England and Wales are up 34 per cent in five years, now at £1,372 a month, ensuring steady returns.

‘There’s peace of mind in knowing your money is in a system that works,’ Eze said.

Or as Okeke put it: ‘In the UK, even while I’m asleep, my property is working for me.’

Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Abdulazeez Gbadebo, a station manager with Emadeb Energy Service Limited, over allegations of diverting company funds amounting to N500 million.

The arrest followed a petition by the energy company after an external audit allegedly uncovered fraudulent practices.

According to the petition, Gbadebo was accused of illegally diverting and selling bulk petrol, with proceeds reportedly channeled into his personal bank accounts.

Preliminary investigations by the EFCC revealed that the suspect allegedly sold petrol and diesel in bulk directly to private individuals while manipulating pump meters to cover his tracks.

The anti-graft agency said these schemes enabled him to bypass company accounts and conceal the scale of the alleged fraud. During the operation, EFCC operatives reportedly recovered high-value assets suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Among the items seized were an ash-coloured Mercedes Benz, three Mini Coopers, a white Mercedes Benz GLK, property documents linked to the Kaduna Geographical Information System (KADGIS), a certificate of occupancy, a three-bedroom detached bungalow, and three landed properties.

The EFCC confirmed that Gbadebo is currently in custody and would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

The commission reiterated its commitment to tackling fraud and financial crimes.

Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), has called on Nigerians to unite and take collective responsibility in addressing insurgency and insecurity, warning that military operations alone cannot bring an end to the Boko Haram crisis.

Musa appealed on Friday during the presentation of ‘SCARS: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum,’ a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff General Lucky Irabor, in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the defence chief stressed that only 25 to 30 per cent of the solution to Nigeria’s insurgency problem lies in military action. At the same time, the rest depends on the will of the people to embrace peace, unity, and nationhood.

‘For us as a nation to move forward, we must look at this faithfully, truthfully and clearly in order to find solutions. It is not only a military solution. From my experience, the military solution is just 25 to 30 per cent,’ Musa said.

He cautioned that without love, tolerance, and deliberate efforts at building national cohesion, insecurity will persist.

‘As long as we don’t love ourselves as Nigerians, and we don’t look at ourselves as our brother’s keepers, this will continue.

‘If we want this to end, we must learn to live together as brothers and sisters. It is not magic; it must be deliberate,’ he added.

Citing Singapore as a model of resilience and transformation, Musa urged Nigerians to consciously commit to building a stronger country.

‘Countries have evolved because they looked at their challenges and resolved to overcome them. Singapore, with all the challenges it had, stood and said: It’s either we stand and die, or we work and develop. They have worked, and they have developed,’ he said.

The CDS described Boko Haram as an asymmetric conflict that differs from conventional warfare, noting that the insurgents often hide within communities.

‘In conventional warfare, you are dealing with states. Asymmetric warfare means the enemy is within. It could be your father, brother or mother. Because you are dealing with ideology, it is not written on the forehead; it is within the mind.

‘You must find solutions to the mindset of those doing these things and also look outward,’ he explained.

He warned that external actors were also fueling instability in Nigeria and Africa at large, stressing the need for Africans to take responsibility for their own security.

‘There are also people from outside who are ready to ensure they continue to succeed and the country continues to fail. We must not allow them to succeed. I am sure, working together, we will continue to win.

‘We as Africans need to face these challenges ourselves without waiting and relying on others to do it for us,’ he said.

Musa also commended Irabor for his enduring contributions to the Nigerian military and his continued efforts in retirement to tackle national security issues.

‘His footprint across our nation’s military is indelible, particularly in the fight against insurgency and terrorism. Even in retirement, he continues to add his quota to solving the security challenges facing us as a country,’ Musa said.

A Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has ordered the Nigeria Police Force to suspend its ongoing nationwide enforcement of the tinted glass permit, a move that has sparked relief and jubilation among motorists across the country.

The order, issued in suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, was delivered by the court in a case filed by lawyer John Aikpokpo-Martins against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Nigeria Police Force.

The suit challenges the legality of the ongoing enforcement drive, which has seen vehicles seized and motorists detained in several states.

The decision came just hours after police officers in Delta impounded the vehicle of a judicial officer, despite a similar pending lawsuit filed by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) last month seeking to halt the exercise.

News of the ruling sparked widespread celebration on social media, with many Nigerians accusing the police of showing ‘insensitivity’ by enforcing the policy amid the country’s harsh economic realities.

Some motorists also decried the difficulty of completing the registration process via the official portal, possap.gov.ng, describing it as unreliable and exploitative. Others alleged that the exercise was a disguised tool for extortion and harassment by officers on the road.

However, a section of Nigerians backed the enforcement, arguing that tinted permits remain a vital security measure against kidnapping and armed robbery.

The NBA, in its suit, argued that the renewed enforcement of the tinted permit violates citizens’ fundamental rights to privacy, dignity, and freedom of movement, noting that the regulation is rooted in a 1991 military decree that contradicts the 1999 Constitution.

Despite the pending legal challenge, the police proceeded with nationwide enforcement, citing the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004, as their legal backing.

According to police, the measure helps curb crime and enhance public safety.