The Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved the appointment of management board for the Kano Pillars Football Club as part of ongoing efforts to further strengthen the team and enhance its performance in the upcoming Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

This follows the expiration of the one-year tenure earlier granted to the board, which successfully led the team to finish 9th on the NPFL table.

In a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, it was revealed that after several consultative meetings with key stakeholders, it was collectively agreed to reappoint most members of the existing board for another year, with strategic adjustments aimed at boosting performance.

The newly approved management board is as follows:

1. Ali Muhammad Umar (Nayara) – Chairman

2. Salisu Mohammed Kosawa – Member

3. Yusuf Danladi Andy Cole – Member

4. Idris Malikawa Garu – Member

5. Nasiru Bello – Member

6. Muhammad Ibrahim (Hassan West) – Member

7. Abdulkarim Audi Chara – Member

8. Muhammad Danjuma Gwarzo – Member

9. Mustapha Usman Darma – Member

10. Umar Dankura – Member

11. Ahmad Musbahu – Member

12. Gambo Salisu Shuaibu Kura – Member

13. Rabiu Abdullahi – Member

14. Aminu Ma’alesh – Member

15. Safiyanu Abdu – Member

16. Abubakar Isah Dandago Yamalash – Media Director I

17. Ismail Abba Tangalash – Media Director II

In line with global best practices, the board also proposed the appointment of renowned international footballer Ahmed Musa, OON, MON, as the new General Manager of Kano Pillars FC.

This strategic move is expected to leverage his wealth of experience and leadership to reposition the club as a formidable contender in the league.

The government expressed confidence that the reconstituted board, under the leadership structure, will consolidate on the team’s achievements and deliver improved results in the forthcoming season.

Signed:

Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa

Director General,

Media and Publicity

Government House, Kano

Italian Serie A side Parma are interested in a deal for former Nigeria U20 and U23 midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru from English Championship side Watford, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The elder brother of Nigeria international midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru have been at the club for six years since leaving Manchester City. He made 24 appearances last season with four goals and it caught the attention of Parma.

He has already made it known to the club that he wishes to join his younger brother who plays for Lazio in Italy, and Watford are open to letting him leave for a fee many believe will be around £8m.

Ipswich Town were also linked with the 25 year old, but according Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph while writing on X, Parma are the teams that have officially open talks over his signing.

Daniel Martins

FIFA-licensed football agent John Shittu has issued a formal legal demand to former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia, seeking a full retraction and apology over alleged defamatory statements made against him about Nigeria’s 2008 Olympic football campaign.

In a letter dated and signed by his legal representatives, Shittu categorically denied Siasia’s claim—widely reported in the media that he offered Siasia a bribe of €50,000 to secure John Obi Mikel’s inclusion in the Nigeria U-23 team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

In a letter dated and signed by his legal representatives, Godwin Dick Inyang & Co., Shittu categorically denied Siasia’s claim—widely reported in the media including Sahara Reporters and Soccernet.ng—that he offered Siasia a bribe of €50,000 to secure John Obi Mikel’s inclusion in the Nigeria U-23 team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The legal notice, addressed directly to Siasia, described the allegation as “false, malicious, and grossly defamatory,” adding that it had caused “reputational harm and professional injury” to Shittu, who is widely respected in the global football industry.

“Your statement is false, malicious, and calculated to disparage and lower our client in the estimation of his colleagues, clients, and the public, particularly in the tightly regulated world of professional sports management,” the letter stated.

Shittu’s legal team is demanding:

A full and unreserved retraction of the alleged statement on Sahara Reporters, Soccernet.ng, and all other platforms that published it;

Publication of the retraction in at least two widely circulated national newspapers, including The Punch and This Day;

A formal, written apology addressed to Mr. Shittu and published on all aforementioned platforms;

A written undertaking not to issue or publish any similar statements in the future;

Payment of ₦250 million in damages for defamation, reputational injury, and consequential losses.

The legal notice further warned that failure to comply within 14 days of receipt will result in legal action against Siasia. The planned suit would seek aggravated damages, a restraining injunction, and full legal costs

English Premier League side Everton are in the summer transfer market shopping for a replacement for midfielder Abdoulaye Doucore who left the club upon the expiration of his contract, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

One player who is of interest to them is Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi, who is available following the relegation of Leicester City, with a clause which was inserted when he signed a fresh deal last summer allowing him to leave for £9m.

According to former Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers scout Mick Brown, Everton will definitely make a bid to sign the Nigerian with head coach David Moyes a huge admirer of the 28 year old.

“Everton are considering signing Wilfred Ndidi,” he told Football Insider.

It’s a move I expect he will be open to as well, the chance to get straight back into the Premier League after getting relegated with Leicester.

“They’ve been keen on him for a while and he’s a very solid player.

“Everton have had scouts watching his performances and he’s been one of Leicester’s better players.

“It might prove difficult to get over the line because there are a lot of clubs who have been made aware of that release clause he’s got.

But I expect them to make an attempt to bring him in ahead of these clubs.

“Either way, it looks like he’s definitely leaving Leicester.”

Daniel Martins

Nigeria international defender Bright Osayi-Samuel has joined English Championship side Birmingham City on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Turkish side Fenerbahce, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Birmingham City beat off competition from Besiktas and Spartak Moscow of Russia for his signing which became possible after he turned down the option of extending his contract with Fenerbahce.

The club confirmed his signing saying he has joined on a three year deal, which will run till 2028 and will link up with the rest of the team at their training camp in Portugal.

“I think it’s the project. I spoke to the owner, I spoke to the manager, and it’s a project with ambitions about what they want to do”, Osayi-Samuel said while explaining his choice of the Championship side.

“Of course they did well last season getting promoted, and the ambition is not just to compete, but to get straight to the Premier League.

“Those are my ambitions too. I want to play in the Premier League and show everyone what I can do, and I think Birmingham City are giving me a platform to showcase that so I think those are the main reasons I decided to come here.

22 year old Osayi-Samuel has 22 senior caps for Nigeria and played a huge role in their run to the final of the AFCON in 2023, where they were beaten by the host Cote d’Ivoire 1-2 in the final.

Daniel Martins

The Sporting Director of Bayer Leverkusen Simon Rolfes has confirmed that Nigeria international forward Victor Boniface will remain at the club beyond this summer transfer window, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Boniface saw an already agreed move to Saudi Arabia side Al Nassr collapse after all terms have been agreed, with the Saudi’s opting for Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran leaving the future of Boniface in doubt.

He was integrated back into the team, but couldn’t reclaim his spot in the team leading to speculations that he will be on the move in the summer, but it looks like the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid has worked in his favour.

According to Rolfes, Boniface can play with Patrik Schick in a two man attack under new coach Erik Ten Hag, something Alonso didn’t do very often during his time as coach.

“Patrik [Schick] will stay, that’s for sure. Unfortunately, Xabi [Alonso] didn’t try playing them together up front very often. Boni also played in a two-man attack in Belgium. He’s not a number nine who just stands up front. He also likes to move out to the wings”, he said

“That has already worked well with both of them together. In Stuttgart, for example, Boni came on, and then he and Patrik turned the game around together. The key thing is that they are in top shape. Erik will be more flexible there, and they will also get the chance to play together.”

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The death of former Nigeria international goalkeeper Peter Rufai at the age of 61 has been confirmed by Radio Nigeria and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

It was reported that he died after a brief illness at his residence in Lagos, where he has been since his retirement from football.

Winner of the 1994 AFCON with the Super Eagles and also a veteran of two world cups in 1994 and 1998 respectively, he was the first Nigerian goalkeeper to play abroad when he moved to Dragons of Benin Republic.

He later had stints in Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain before his retirement in 2000, bringing an end to his career which lasted over 20 years.

Rufai was the son of a tribal king in the region of Idimu. In early 1998, as his father died, he was allowed by his club (Deportivo) to return to Nigeria to discuss the succession, but turned down the status for himself.

Nigeria international defender Benjamin Tanimu has joined Moroccan side Maghreb de Fès from English League two side Crawley Town, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The 22 year old moved to the English side last summer, but after failing to nail down a permanent spot with just seven games all through last season he has now moved in search of regular game time.

He is the first signing of Pablo Franco Martin who took over as new coach of the team in preparation for next season. He is expected to shore up the defence using his experience which also cuts across playing in Nigeria and Tanzania respectively.

Tanimu has four caps for the senior national team of Nigeria, all coming under former coach of the team Finidi George in 2024.

The football extravaganza in the United States goes on, with the eight best clubson the planet fighting for a spot in the top four. Fans are in for a thrilling show that is not to be missed. Add excitement to the key matches of this summer’smain football tournament with 1xBet — the best sports betting site. Read the preview of the upcoming games to increase your chances of winning and bet on the quarter-finals with the best odds using this link. Remember that responsible gaming is your path to triumph!

Fluminense vs Al-Hilal

At the previous stage of the tournament, Tricolor Carioca knocked out Inter Milan, the Champions League runners-up. Fluminense once again kept a clean sheet , displaying excellent defense and finishing. Al-Hilal engaged in a goal-scoring battle with Manchester City and, thanks to an impressive performance by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, sent Pep Guardiola’s team home.

The coaches of both teams prefer to play defensively and use formations with three central defenders, so fans can expect an intriguing match with fast counter attacks.

W1 – 2.95, X – 3.34, W2 – 2.601

Palmeiras vs Chelsea

The Green and White won the Brazilian derby, knocking Botafogo out of the tournament , while Chelsea crushed Benfica 4-1. Both teams played 120 minutes in the round of 16, and the coaches may rotate their squads to freshen up their offenses. Enzo Maresca has more opportunities to experiment and make unconventional tactical moves. For example, he keeps putting Cole Palmer in the winger position, but with no success so far.

Palmeiras have a well-organized defense and count on quick counterattacks. The Brazilians will be able to dominate the pitch if they try really hard.

W1 – 3.885, X – 3.38, W2 – 2.116

Paris Saint-Germain vs Bayern Munich

In the main match of the quarter-finals, fans can look forward to a battlebetween the two most spectacular teams at the tournament. Ousmane Dembélé has returned to the Parisians’ line-up after recovering from injury, making Luis Enrique’s team even more dangerous in offense. Paris Saint-Germain are aiming for their fifth title this season, and it isn’t yet clear who can stop them.

Bayern Munich traditionally excel in teamwork, but Michael Olise’s outstanding individual performances are also noteworthy. The French player has scored three goals and provided two assists in five games, so he has a good chance of becoming the top scorer of the tournament.

W1 – 2.258, X – 3.725, W2 – 3.18

Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund

The Meringues’ players are still adapting to the new coach’s demands. In the match against Juventus, Xabi Alonso returned to his favorite 3-4-3 formation, and it worked very well. Perhaps it makes sense to continue with this experiment .

Unnoticed by many, Niko Kovač transformed an unimpressive and confused team into the Borussia that fans around the world know and love. Now is the time to take another step forward and make a sensation in the game against Real Madrid. It’s a shame we won’t see a battle between the Bellingham brothers — Jobe will miss the match due to suspension.

W1 – 1.661, X – 4.385, W2 – 5.11

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French Ligue 1 side Auxerre have taken up the option of extending the contract of Nigeria international defender Gabriel Osho following the fulfillment of terms in his initial one year deal, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Osho was signed on a free transfer from relegated English Premier League side Luton Town last season on an initial one year deal, with the options of a further year based on several conditions.

Despite suffering from injuries and fitness issues, he fulfilled the most important condition of playing regular games as he started in all of the 20 games he played, scoring once from his position as a center back. Rather than trigger a one year extension, the club made it two years.

The 26 year old who has two senior caps for Nigeria is regarded as one of the main stay of the team, who finished 11th in their first season back in the French top division. An European spot is their target for next season.

Daniel Martins