The President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), Dr Ademola Are, has commended the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) for its proactive support for national teams preparing to represent Nigeria at international competitions.

NRFF media department said in a statement issued on Thursday that Are spoke on the sidelines of the ongoing World Rugby Level 1 and 2 medical, coaching and match officiating course in Abuja, where he praised NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director-General, Bukola Olopade, for creating what he described as an enabling environment for sports federations to thrive. He particularly acknowledged the Commission’s support for national teams across different sports, stressing that the approach has boosted preparations for international competitions.

The NRFF President said the Stallions are currently preparing for the World Rugby Sevens 3 competition in Uganda and have received the necessary backing from the NSC to put the team in the best possible shape. “We are preparing for the World Rugby Sevens 3 in Uganda, and we have received the needed support from the National Sports Commission for our preparation. It has never been this good,” Are said.

He added that Olopade had, upon assuming office, promised to support all sports federations and was already living up to that commitment. “The Director-General, on assumption of office, promised to give support to all federations, and he is living up to that promise. We hope to make the country proud in Uganda,” he said.

While acknowledging the quality of opposition awaiting Nigeria, Are expressed confidence that the Stallions can defy expectations and secure a place on the global stage. “We know it is going to be tough, but we have a very good chance of punching above our weight and picking the World Rugby Sevens 3 ticket,” he added.

In Uganda, the Stallions will battle hosts Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana, Tunisia, Morocco and Senegal for the coveted qualification ticket. The tournament will also serve as the opening leg of the 2026 Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens Series, with the winner earning qualification for the World Rugby SVNS 3 2027 competition.

Former Ivory Coast and Manchester City midfielder, Yaya Touré has described  players of Paris Saint German, PSG, as playing like machines in the team’s 6-1 pounding of his Slovan Bratislava side in their Champions League opener

Touré, who made history as the first African manager to lead an European side in the Champions League league phase, watched PSG take control of the game and punish Slovan whenever space opened up at the Parc des Stadium 

Ferran Torres scored three times, while Ousmane Dembélé added two goals and Fabián Ruiz completed the rout as the reigning European champions turned the match into a one-sided contest.

Touré noted thstthe quality of Luis Enrique’s team was the biggest lesson of the night.

“They are a machine,” he said. “Defence, midfield, attack they’re complete. You can’t press them. They know each other so well. It’s not easy. They hurt you.”

The Ivorian did not hide his admiration for the way Enrique has put the PSG side together, particularly their movement and ability to attack with numbers.

“I’d like to copy everything about this PSG. It’s incredible. Seeing the way Luis Enrique has built this team… they have everything from back to front. They are always in numbers, they move so well.”

Touré  emphasised that his players should not leave Paris feeling ashamed of the result, noting that, the 6-1 scoreline reflected the gap between a developing Slovan team and a PSG squad packed with elite talent.

“We have no regrets. We played against a stronger team tonight. My players gave everything. The gap is considerable between the two sides. When you face a team that is better than you, you understand it.”

The former Ivory Coast international went further by backing PSG to remain serious contenders for the trophy. He pointed to the depth of their squad and the number of players capable of deciding matches.

“PSG will come close to winning this trophy again. They are so strong in every aspect of the game. There are nine or ten Ballon d’Or nominees in that squad. The danger comes from everywhere.” The former Ivory Coast international noted

With the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), yet to name the host for 2030 world cup championship, Morocco has named Casablanca as the venue for the mundial final, according to the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa.

According to Reuters, Lekjaa announced the plan at a political party event in Bouznika, Morocco, on Thursday, despite FIFA yet to officially confirm the venue for the tournament’s showpiece match.

“The province of Benslimane will have the honour of hosting the 2030 World Cup final,” Lekjaa said, according to Spanish news agency EFE.

Benslimane, about 60km from Casablanca, is the site of the $12 billion Hassan II Stadium, which is being built for the tournament with a projected capacity of 115,000.

The stadium is expected to become the world’s largest football-specific venue.

Morocco and Spain have been competing to host the 2030 World Cup final, with Spanish federation president Rafael Louzan saying earlier this month that Spain should stage the match.

FIFA said in August that reports claiming President Gianni Infantino had promised the final to Morocco were “false and misleading”.

Reuters said it had contacted FIFA and the Royal Spanish Football Federation for comment.

The 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain, with the opening three matches to be played in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to mark the centenary of the tournament.

FIFA has yet to finalise all the cities that will host matches at the 2030 World Cup.