Robbery in broad daylight? CAF strips Edo Queens of final victory after penalty shootout drama!

Eric Chelle, the head coach leading Nigeria’s senior team, is facing an unprecedented technical workload as administrative drama and match chaos shake the Nigerian sporting landscape.

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Eric Chelle has named 31 local players to the under-23 Olympic qualification squad, but the team’s schedule clashes directly with the Super Eagles’ crucial AFCON qualification matches against Tanzania. With Eric Chelle having to prioritize senior national team duties, football stakeholders have urged the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to appoint temporary assistant coaches to manage the Olympic team, ensuring that both national teams receive adequate tactical direction without compromising Nigeria’s 1996 Olympic legacy.

The coaches’ dilemma unfolds amid intense outrage in African women’s football following a controversial decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The CAF Organizing Committee and Appeals Board have officially annulled Nigerian champions Edo Queens’ WAFU B penalty shootout victory over Ampem Darkoa of Ghana. Although Edo Queens initially won 4-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw, the match referee mistakenly skipped the mandatory 30-minute extra time. Following protests from Ghana, CAF ordered both teams to repeat the extra time session with a score of 2-2 at a neutral venue in Cairo, Egypt.

Beyond referee governance issues across the continent, action is heating up in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) ahead of the high-stakes South West derby between Shooting Stars and Sunshine Stars in Lagos. Sunshine Stars enter the contest under immense pressure to secure their first win after 24 historic encounters, while Shooting Stars aim to build on the positive momentum.

Meanwhile, Nigerian sports advocates are demanding greater recognition and financial support for amateur boxing. Highlighting the federation’s systemic failings and concerns over athlete retention, stakeholders noted that Nigeria’s delegation of ten boxers recently awarded five medals, including three gold and two silver, surpassing football’s medal performance and demonstrating the immense potential of the country’s combat sports.