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“MR RUGBY” NTIENSE WILLIAMS, REGAINS TECHNICAL DIRECTOR SEAT IN RUGBY FEDERATION
The unceremonious removal from office of Ntiense Williams as the Technical Director by the Rugby Federation President Kelechi Mbagwu has been declared null and void.
That is the outcome of the report by a panel set up by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to investigate the matter.
According to a press statement by the reinstated technical director, the explicit three page judgment was reached after the panel sat, received oral and written evidences from those concerned.
It was stated further that the sports minister, Sunday Dare has ordered the immediate implementation of the report even as the President of the Rugby Federation, Kelechi Mbagwu refused to honour the panels invitations even after repeated rescheduling by him.
The directive for the implementation of the report was signed by the Deputy Director FEAD, Clement Ojile on behalf of the Minister of Youth & Sports Sunday Dare.
The directive which is dated 14 January 2020 asked the Rugby Federation President to reinstate the former Technical Director, Ntiense Williams within 30 days.
The report reads:
“Ministerial directive on the implementation of the recommendations of the committee set up to investigate the petition submitted by Mr Ntiense Williams.”
“I am directed to draw your attention to the above named subject matter and to convey the directive of the Honourable Minister to you.
“The Ministry has noted your repeated failure to honour the invitations of the committee in spite of several rescheduling in other to grant you fair hearing.
“The Ministry also noted the total disregard to the National Sports Federation Code of Governance 2017, lack of due process in management of technical matters, administrative lapses and your attitude in respect to Ministry’s officials like the Secretary General and Treasurer.
“Furthermore, the lack of inclusiveness in decision making is a factor that has compounded significant distrust among Board Members, Ministry staffs and your leadership. Therefore the Ministry is intent on sanitizing the Federation.
“The Honourable Minister therefore has directed as follows:
“That the Rugby President Mr Kelechi Mbagwu and the acting Technical Director Mr Yaro Abubakah are hereby suspended from attending any further Ministry of Sports events such as Meetings with the Honourable Minister, National Sports Festival Meeting etc with immediate effect until compliance with the directive is fully observed.
“The letter ended by stating that “Failure to carry out the above recommendations within the stipulated time will result in the NRFF Board being dissolved and a Caretaker Committee will be set up to oversee the running of the Rugby Federation affairs until another substantive Board is elected”
“You will remember that around January 2019, the Rugby President Mr Kelechi Mbagwu removed the dully appointed Technical Director of the Rugby Federation Mr Ntiense Williams and Secretary General Mr Victor Anusa unceremoniously, prompting Mr Williams to go through due process and petitioned the supervising Ministry of Sports for justice.
“Between six months, the panel concluded its assignment notwithstanding the change of guards of the Honourable Ministers and Permanent Secretaries, which slightly delayed the implementation of the panel’s recommendations.
“The letter which have fourteen well spelt out recommendations ranging from administrative lapses, to financial malpractice and absolute disregard to constituted authorities and due process in the administration of the Rugby Federation amongst others requires an urgent and immediate positive actions to avert any further disgrace which the Rugby President has dragged the game into in recent days.
“Last years Lagos Rugby League was won by Police RFC and till today they were not presented the Winner’s Trophy talkless of any cash reward and the National League Finals between the Northern & Southern Winners has been abandoned because his Club Cowrie RFC did not win the Lagos leg.
“No league was played in the South East / South South Region last year as against two years ago when the Technical Director was allowed to function
“There has been no domestic national program by the NRFF throughout last year. No Technical activities such as Coaching or Referees Course / Seminar or even Clinic. Only the Men National Team went on Rugby Africa sponsored programs, which unfortunately didn’t perform well losing out on the Africa Rugby Premier League which will be kicking off soon across the Continent.
“Not to talk of even Women Rugby or age grade event. Rugby activities has been thriving lately purely through the personal and passionate efforts of individuals who have the game at heart and are prepared to go all out to develop the game in the country.
“Rugby activities have literary being grounded in the country if not for the sudden resurgence through the same Mr Rugby Ntiense Williams with the addition of the game in the upcoming National Sports Festival as an optional Sports by the host State – Edo.
We sincerely hope and pray that this will once again be the means of reviving the beautiful rough game played by gentlemen.”
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Morocco Handed Boost as Brazil Lose Only Specialist Right Back Ahead of World Cup Clash
Morocco have received an early boost ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C opener against Brazil after the South Americans lost their only specialist right back, Wesley, to injury.
The AS Roma defender was ruled out of the tournament after suffering a left thigh muscle injury during Brazil’s 2-1 international friendly victory over Egypt in Cleveland on Saturday.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed on Sunday that medical examinations revealed damage to the adductor muscle in Wesley’s left thigh, forcing him to withdraw from Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man World Cup squad.
His absence leaves Brazil with a significant selection headache ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Morocco. Wesley was the only natural right back in the squad, meaning Ancelotti may now have to rely on makeshift options such as versatile defenders Danilo and Ibanez to fill the position.
“The MRI scan revealed a muscle injury to the adductor muscle in his left thigh,” the CBF said in a statement.
“The CBF regrets the injury. Wesley is a player much loved by the squad and will always be considered part of this team as it seeks to win its sixth World Cup title.”
Brazil have moved quickly to replace the injured defender, calling up Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who is expected to join the squad in the United States on Monday.
For Morocco, the development could offer a tactical advantage as the Atlas Lions prepare to face the five-time world champions in what is expected to be one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the group stage.
The North Africans, who reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and continue to be regarded as one of the strongest teams outside Europe and South America, will be looking to exploit any defensive uncertainty on Brazil’s right flank.
Brazil, chasing a record-extending sixth World Cup title, are grouped alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in Group C. The opening encounter between Morocco and Brazil is expected to play a key role in determining the eventual group winner.
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Algeria have extended the contract of national team coach Vladimir Petkovic and his technical staff until 2028, the country’s football federation said on Sunday, days before the World Cup in North America, with his previous deal due to expire immediately after the tournament.
Petkovic, who took charge in February 2024, has overseen a strong turnaround, leading Algeria to 21 wins, four draws and three defeats in 28 matches and guiding the team to qualification for the 2026 World Cup, after their absence from the 2018 and 2022 editions.
Algeria also reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after consecutive group-stage exits in 2021 and 2023, while climbing from 43rd to 28th in the FIFA world rankings and from seventh to fourth in Africa during the Bosnian’s tenure.
The federation said the extension reflected “stability and confidence in the work accomplished”, with Algeria set to open their World Cup Group J campaign against Argentina on June 17 before facing Jordan and Austria.
-Reuters
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Multi-champions Brazil, Argentina and Germany all won their preparatory games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, although by small margins, with former champion England and hopeful Portugal also securing victories.
The busy day of friendlies saw some of the biggest stars on display, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Vini Jr and Mohamed Salah playing, but three-time champion Argentina opted to rest Lionel Messi against Honduras in Texas in a game where forward Lautaro Martinez shone with a goal and one assist for a 2-0 win. Simeone scored the second for Argentina.
Five-time champion Brazil beat Egypt 2-1 in Cleveland with Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes scoring early from inside the box and Lyon forward Endrick adding in the second half after an assist from Barcelona’s Raphinha. Zico scored for Egypt, while Salah played the first half and seemed to be in good form.
There was some drama with Brazil and AS Roma right back Wesley leaving the field in tears after what appeared to be a serious muscle injury in the left leg, which might take him out of the World Cup. Teams can change players up to one day before their first games.
Harry Kane’s first-half header earned England a 1-0 win over New Zealand in Tampa, while there were also victories for Scotland and Belgium as teams fine-tune ahead of the tournament’s kickoff next week.
With England manager Thomas Tuchel rotating his entire team at halftime and handing minutes to 22 players in the scorching 32-degree Celsius (90-degree Fahrenheit) heat, the result was secondary to the process.
But Kane’s clinical finish with a glancing header into the bottom corner from Djed Spence’s cross offered a timely reminder of the skipper’s importance to their hopes of winning a second Cup.
Four-time world champions Germany secured a ninth win in a row with a 2-1 victory over World Cup co-hosts the United States in Chicago.
Germany’s Kai Havertz (left) challenges United States captain Tyler Adams during the international friendly match between the USA and Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, on June 6, 2026. Photo: Talia Sprague/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters.
Kai Havertz headed in Joshua Kimmich’s free kick to give them a second-minute lead, but the Americans snatched a stunning equaliser when Antonee Robinson thundered in a volley after defender Jonathan Tah had headed away a corner.
But Leroy Sane rifled in from 12 metres to restore Germany’s lead in the 57th minute.
Portugal defeated Chile 2-1 in an ill-tempered clash in Oeiras, where both teams finished with 10 men as Rafael Leao and Ivan Roman received their marching orders.
Goncalo Guedes gave the home side the lead before Bruno Fernandes added a second from outside the box. Lucas Cepeda scored a late consolation for Chile.
“We were superior in the 90 minutes, we managed to control the game very well, especially having a lot of the ball in the last third,” Fernandes told RTP.
Striker Romelu Lukaku continued his comeback from injury for Belgium with 25 minutes off the bench as they enjoyed a 5-0 victory over 10-man Tunisia in Brussels.
Leandro Trossard, Charles De Ketelaere, Kevin De Bruyne, Dodi Lukebakio and Nicolas Raskin scored the goals as Lukaku grabbed an assist.
“We wanted a good performance in front of our fans,” Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said. “It is a good preparation for the World Cup, we know this team can do great things.”
A much-changed Scotland scored all their goals in the first half as they romped to a 4-0 success over Bolivia in New Jersey.
Che Adams bagged two to go with strikes from Lawrence Shankland and Scott McTominay in an impressive performance.
Switzerland and Australia drew 1-1, while Bosnia and Herzegovina were held to the same scoreline by Panama.
-Reuters
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