Sport Archives - TheCitizen - It's all about you

2026 World Cup: IFAB approves red cards for pitch walkouts, mouth-covering

The Editor — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:12:25 +0000

Football’s law-making body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), has unanimously approved two new rule changes that could see players sent off for walking off the pitch in protest or covering their mouths during confrontations, with the measures set to be enforced at the FIFA World Cup 2026. In a release published on the official […]

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FIFA unveils official volunteer uniform for 2026 World Cup

The Editor — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:34:30 +0000

FIFA has unveiled the official volunteer uniform for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, offering a first look at the outfit that will be worn by thousands of volunteers across host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The new kit features a bold, modern design created with a focus on visibility, comfort, and practicality. […]

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FIFA plans to reduce player bans with new yellow card system

The Editor — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:27:07 +0000

FIFA is considering a significant change to its disciplinary rules ahead of the expanded FIFA World Cup, aiming to reduce the number of players suspended for accumulated yellow cards. As reported by BBC Sport on Monday, the proposal would introduce a second amnesty point in the tournament, wiping all yellow cards at the end of […]

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Anthony Joshua set for first fight since car accident

The Editor — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:43:09 +0000

Anthony Joshua is set to return to the ring on July 25 for a warm-up fight ahead of a long-overdue matchup with Tyson Fury. Saudi Boxing Chief Turki Alalshikh on Monday said the Watford powerhouse will lock horns with unknown Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of an ‘Esports World Cup’ […]

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Former Nigerian striker Eneramo dies during match

The Editor — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 14:13:23 +0000

Former Nigeria striker Michael Eneramo has died after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest during a friendly match, the country’s football federation (NFF) has announced. The 40-year-old collapsed on the pitch five minutes into the second half in Kaduna on Friday. Eneramo won 10 caps for the Super Eagles and had spells in Tunisia, Algeria, Saudi […]

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Chelsea sack Liam Rosenior after poor run, name interim coach

The Editor — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:19:13 +0000

Chelsea Football Club have sacked head coach, Liam Rosenior, after just 107 days in charge, following a poor run of results that saw the club suffer five consecutive Premier League defeats without scoring. The club confirmed the decision in a statement on Wednesday, saying it was not taken lightly but was necessary due to “recent […]

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Onyeka secures EPL promotion with Coventry

The Editor — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 08:21:50 +0000

Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka has secured promotion to the Premier League with Coventry City after the club ended a 25-year absence from England’s top flight following a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers on Friday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Coventry needed just one point at Ewood Park to confirm their return to the top division and […]

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Ghana appoints Queiroz for 2026 World Cup

The Editor — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:20:28 +0000

The Ghana Football Association has appointed Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Ghana national football team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be staged in Canada, Mexico and the United States. In a statement on Monday, the GFA said the appointment was made by its Executive Council in collaboration […]

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Man City rout Chelsea to close gap on leaders Arsenal

The Editor — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:39:43 +0000

Manchester City ignited the Premier League title race with a second-half blitz that sealed a 3-0 win against Chelsea as they closed the gap on leaders Arsenal on Sunday. Pep Guardiola’s side produced a devastating spell immediately after half-time, with Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi scoring in the space of six minutes at Stamford Bridge. […]

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EPL: Arsenal’s title lead shrinks after 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth

The Editor — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 02:18:03 +0000

Arsenal’s title hopes were dealt a major blow as Alex Scott’s second-half strike gave Bournemouth victory at Emirates Stadium. Defeat meant the hosts missed a chance to extend their lead at the top of the table to 12 points before second-placed Manchester City’s game against Chelsea on Sunday. Mikel Arteta called for supporters to arrive early […]

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NFF unveils Flamingos squad for World Cup qualifying camp

The Editor — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:18:27 +0000

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced a 36-player squad for the Flamingos ahead of their second-round qualifying fixture for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. Newly-appointed head coach Akeem Busari has selected five goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 13 midfielders and eight forwards as preparations begin for the crucial tie against either Niger Republic […]

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Eritrea players abscond after AFCON 2027 qualifier victory

The Editor — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:15:57 +0000

Seven players from the Eritrea national team have reportedly absconded from the squad after featuring in the country’s AFCON 2027 preliminary qualifiers against Eswatini. According to Reuters, the players went missing following Eritrea’s 2-0 second-leg victory over Eswatini in late March, a result that secured a 4-1 aggregate win for the Red Sea Camels. The […]

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FIFA names 170 match officials for 2026 World Cup

The Editor — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:55:23 +0000

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has released a list of 170 match officials for the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. According to the list published by the Switzerland-based body, no Nigerian official was selected as a referee, assistant referee, or Video Assistant Referee (VAR) […]

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FirstBank partners Eko Hotels & KEY Academy for ChessMasters 2026 Tournament

The Editor — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 08:43:19 +0000

FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial institution and the leading financial inclusion service provider, has announced its strategic sponsorship of the second edition of ChessMasters, Africa’s largest school chess tournament. The announcement was made at the official press conference of the tournament held on 16 March 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. ChessMasters is an […]

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AFCON, Senegal: CAF vows to respect CAS ruling

The Editor — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:53:32 +0000

President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has promised to implement the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over the disputed 2025 AFCON title, which was awarded to Morocco by the body’s Appeal Committee. Motsepe made this known on Wednesday during a visit to Senegal, 22 days after the […]

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UCL: Havertz strikes late as Arsenal beat Sporting Lisbon 1-0

The Editor — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 06:57:47 +0000

Kai Havertz snatched a last-gasp winner as Arsenal bounced back from their domestic distress to steal a 1-0 victory at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday. Mikel Arteta’s side arrived at the Jose Alvalade Stadium rocked by successive defeats against Manchester City in the League Cup final and Southampton in […]

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FIFA clears Wrexham goalkeeper Okonkwo to represent Nigeria

The Editor — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:30:26 +0000

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has confirmed that goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has switched international allegiance to represent Nigeria in future matches. The Wrexham AFC first-choice goalkeeper’s change of association from England was approved on April 6 and has been listed on FIFA’s official platform. He is now eligible for selection by Super Eagles […]

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Super Eagles to play Poland, Portugal in June friendlies

The Editor — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:37:40 +0000

Despite not qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, Super Eagles are going to be busy during the summer FIFA window as Nigeria have been lined up to defend the Unity Cup title in London in May and also take on Poland and Mundial-bound Portugal in international friendlies. NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodata […]

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Gattuso resigns as Italy coach after World Cup disaster

The Editor — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:32:50 +0000

Gennaro Gattuso quit as Italy coach on Friday as the Azzurri failing to reach a third straight World Cup continued to send shockwaves through Italian football. A World Cup winner in 2006, Gattuso leaves after less than a year in charge of Italy, a team which has fallen far behind historic rivals like France and […]

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Chelsea drops Fernández for two games after comments on future

The Editor — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:30:47 +0000

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has confirmed that midfielder Enzo Fernández will miss the club’s next two fixtures after comments about his future were deemed to have gone too far. The decision means the Argentine will sit out the FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale as well as the Premier League clash with Manchester City on […]

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