International Football
NEWLY LAUNCHED WOMEN FOOTBALL LEAGUE MAY LAND SUDANESE OFFICIALS IN FIFA TROUBLE
The first ever women’s football league has just been launched in Sudan.
The positive development may however get three top officials of the Sudan Football Association (SFA) into trouble with the Investigative Chamber of FIFA.
Before the launch of the women’s football in Sudan last Monday, the SFA had allegedly claimed it yearly spend FIFA grant on a non-existing women’s football competition.
The claim is one of the reasons one Hassan Mohamed Alkoubani had filed a petition since last year to the Investigative Chamber of FIFA.
In the petition dated 23 September 2018, three officials, including the President of SFA, Dr. Kamal Shaddad, were accused of forgery and falsification of information in a questionnaire submitted to FIFA.
The others accused in the petition are Dr. Hassan Abu Gabal, the General Secretary and Mazen Abu Sin, the SFA official in charge of FIFA communications at the SFA.
The most cogent of the allegations against the trio was that $50,000 was reportedly spent yearly on domestic women’s football competition.
The petitioner quoted the claims by the SFA as published in page 104 of FIFA’s “Global Club Football Report 2018” which states that the SFA was organizing women’s top-tier competition with nine clubs participating and featuring promotion and relegation and played during calendar year season that runs from January to September.
According to the petitioner, “this statement is also forged and merely a series of lies in its entirety, simply because there are no women’s clubs affiliated to Sudan Football Association (SFA) or female players registered and even no women’s football match ever played during its long history (SFA was founded in 1936 and affiliated to FIFA in 1948).”
So on this, the petitioner averred that the three officials of the SFA “knowingly and deliberately submitted a false statement regarding the staging of women’s top-tier competition.
“There is no doubt that the statement’s purpose can have for the effect to establish the proof of a right to receive undue payment of US$50,000 per annum allocated under FIFA Forward Program for Women’s Domestic Competitions.”
The petitioner named 11 football-related personnel in Sudan as witnesses that the FIFA Investigative Chamber can be contacted by either videoconference or by telephone.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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