sports

Gusau Celebrates Nigerian Stars Winning Trophies

Published

4 months ago

May 25, 2026

Nigerian stars winning trophies across Europe earn praise from NFF president Ibrahim Gusau after major league and cup successes

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, has praised Nigerian international players who secured league and cup titles with their clubs across Europe during the just-concluded season.

Also read: NFF Suspends Referee Yakubu Adamu in Controversial Ban

In a statement released on Sunday, Gusau described the achievements as encouraging signs ahead of future international competitions involving the Super Eagles and Super Falcons.

“The NFF is very happy with the achievements of these players in their various clubs and Leagues,” Gusau said.

“It is a thing of joy to see our players winning trophies here and there, as it presents assurance that they are in good form to deliver whenever any international match or tournament comes up.”

Among the standout performers is Victor Osimhen, who helped Galatasaray clinch the Turkish Super Lig title with a powerful goalscoring campaign that secured the championship with one match remaining.

Defender Zaidu Sanusi also finished the season with silverware after FC Porto won the Taça de Portugal.

His Super Eagles team-mate Terem Moffi celebrated the triumph as well after joining Porto on loan from OGC Nice during the January transfer window.

In Scotland, Kelechi Iheanacho played a significant role in helping Celtic FC secure a domestic League and Cup double in his debut season with the club.

Defender Igoh Ogbu also enjoyed success as SK Slavia Prague won the Czech First League title.

Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho emerged champion in Cyprus after Omonia Nicosia claimed the Cypriot First Division title.

Another major highlight came in England, where defender Semi Ajayi celebrated promotion to the Premier League after Hull City won the Championship play-off final on Saturday.

On the women’s side, Super Falcons midfielder Christy Ucheibe enjoyed a sensational season with SL Benfica, winning the Taça de Portugal Feminina, Taça de Liga Feminina and the Super Taça de Portugal Feminina.

Defender Shukurat Oladipo was named the best defender in the Serie A Femminile after helping AS Roma Women secure the league title.

Forward Rinsola Babajide also celebrated the title triumph with Roma after contributing two goals in nine league appearances following her move from Spanish side UD Tenerife.

Gusau congratulated the players and urged them to continue striving for greater success in their respective careers.

Also read: NFF Confirms Remo Stars Stadium for Falconets Qualifier

“We congratulate them warmly and wish them greater heights, while charging them not to rest on their oars but rather pursue even greater glory in their different stations,” he added.

Up Next

Arsenal Lift Premier League Trophy After Beating Crystal Palace

Don't Miss

Residents Demand Total Betting Ban in Jigawa Over Losses

Victory Emmanuel

Click to comment

Opinion

Why Are Football Fans Expecting Trophy Haul from Man City’s 114 Breaches?

Published

13 hours ago

September 30, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Tai Emeka Obasi,

It is exceedingly terrible for clubs operating in a league as supremely elite as the English Premier League, EPL, to fraudulently cheat themselves to massive success.

Also read: NFF Appeals CAF Ruling on Edo Queens’ WAFU-B Victory

Rules are rules, and supposedly responsible club managements should comply with them in administering a game termed the beautiful game.

Manchester City is currently in the eye of the storm for all the wrong reasons.

A whopping 115 breaches were brought against the club, with reports now indicating that an independent commission found City guilty of 114 of them.

The club, however, maintains that the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality.

Manchester City chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, has appealed to the fans to remain calm and faithful, insisting that the club will continue to defend its position and pursue the available legal process.

According to reports, Manchester City is expected to appeal the verdict. The sanctions have not yet been announced, and the possible consequences could include a heavy fine, points deduction, stripping of titles or even relegation.

From the available reporting, however, there is no basis for football fans to start celebrating the prospect of receiving Manchester City’s trophies.

Even if titles were eventually stripped, the relevant period under investigation is 2009 to 2018.

During that period, Manchester City won three Premier League titles, in 2011/12, 2013/14 and 2017/18, as well as three League Cups, in 2013/14, 2015/16 and 2017/18.

That immediately puts a different complexion on the matter.

For instance, Manchester United finished runners-up to City in the 2011/12 and 2017/18 Premier League seasons, while Liverpool finished second in 2013/14.

But whether those titles would actually be reassigned to the runners-up is another matter entirely.

There is no automatic rule that says a stripped title simply moves to the team that finished second. Any such outcome would depend on the eventual sanction imposed by the relevant authorities.

The same applies to Arsenal and the League Cup. Arsenal were beaten by City in the 2018 final, but that does not mean Arsenal would automatically inherit the trophy if City were sanctioned.

Expert opinion has suggested that the eventual punishment could include a substantial financial penalty and a huge points deduction, potentially severe enough to threaten City with relegation.

But until the sanction is formally determined, nobody can say with certainty what punishment Manchester City will receive.

For Gunners fans, therefore, we should lower our expectations from City’s debacle. Even if Manchester City are eventually found guilty after the appeal process and even if they are relegated, Arsenal will not stroll to this season’s title.

Our last match against Brighton and Hove Albion is a huge warning that our squad is not as complete as it is generally acclaimed to be.