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Netherlands coach, Xavi vows to return country’s football glory 

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New Netherlands coach Xavi Hernandez vowed on Tuesday to bring back the attacking footballing philosophy that the Oranje are famous for, believing that this will bring the team out of the doldrums in terms of results.

“If we play good football… taking the initiative, dominating the game, playing in an offensive way… we will be closer to winning and to getting results,” the 46-year-old former midfielder told reporters at his first news conference since being appointed.

The Netherlands were disappointing at the most recent World Cup, topping their group without really convincing and then crashing out to Morocco on penalties in the last-32.

“I remember when I was a kid watching the Netherlands; you could watch good football. And this is my target — to play good football in order to be proud,” said Xavi.

Asked which was more important, attractive football or results, Xavi replied, “Both.”

“We are here to compete, we are here to enjoy, and we are here to win. I insist, we are here to win.”

In replacing Ronald Koeman on a four-year deal, Xavi becomes the first foreign boss of the Oranje in 48 years.

The Barcelona great, who won the 2010 World Cup with Spain as a player, beating the Netherlands in the final, had not held a head coaching job since leaving the Camp Nou in 2024.

Xavi, whose first coaching role was with Qatari club Al-Sadd, won the 2023 La Liga title with Barca but was sacked at the end of the following season and replaced by Hansi Flick.

Dutch Director of Football Nigel de Jong, who was on the losing side during the 2010 World Cup final, revealed that they had approached former Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and ex-Liverpool manager Arne Slot before settling on Xavi.

“Well, it’s not a bad position after Guardiola and after Slot, no?” joked Xavi.

“I don’t care if I’m the third or I’m the 10th one.”

Xavi’s first match at the helm will be a home Nations League clash with Germany on September 24.

Facing him on the sidelines will be another national management rookie, Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp.

“I feel excited; I feel motivated because we are playing against Germany, one of the best teams in Europe and one of the best coaches in recent years, Jurgen Klopp,” he said.

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FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup: Flamingos record 2-0 win over Puerto Rico

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Nigeria’s U-17 Women National Team, the Flamingos, kept their campaign at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco on track with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Puerto Rico in their Group B encounter on Tuesday night in Rabat.

The 2022 World Cup bronze-medallists started the game with real intent, pressing high and creating early problems for the Puerto Rican defence. It was a lively opening from both sides, but the Flamingos soon took control with their quick movement and direct play going forward.

The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when in-form striker Oluwakemi Adegbuyi finished brilliantly from Queen Joseph’s assist to put Nigeria 1-0 up. That goal settled the Nigerian girls and gave them the confidence to dominate possession for most of the first half.

In the second period, the Flamingos continued to push for another goal. Queen Joseph, Tosin Rafiu and Favour Nkwocha all came close, while Puerto Rico also tried to find a way back into the game with a couple of changes. Coach Hakeem Busari responded by introducing Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku in the 67th minute to add more energy and bite in attack.

The pressure finally paid off in the 90th minute when Nigeria got the second goal as substitute Precious Oscar nodded home a cross from Kemi Adegbuyi to seal the contest at 2-0. The team showed great maturity to see out six minutes of added time and secure all three points. The victory is a big boost for the Flamingos as North Korea defeated Poland 6-1 in the other match of Group B. The high-score deficit against the Poles is an advantage to the Flamingos ahead of Friday’s Group B encounter against the Koreans.

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NPFL hammers Doma Utd with N5.25m fine, orders 3 home matches behind closed doors

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Gombe based Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side, Doma United has been fined N5.25 million and ordered to play its next three home matches behind closed doors following security breaches and supporters’ misconduct during its 1-1 draw with Kun Khalifat FC.

The sanctions followed the club’s supporters alleged attack on Kun Khalifat of Owerri during the Matchday 9 fixture played at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe on Saturday, October 17.

In a disciplinary notice issued on Monday, the NPFL said Doma United failed to provide adequate and effective security, allowing unauthorised persons to access restricted areas.

The club was also fined 1 million for hostile conduct towards match officials and another 1 million for gross misconduct involving an official of the visiting team.

The club was further tasked to pa additional N250,000 as compensation for the medical treatment of Kun Khalifat head coach, Obinna Uzoho, who sustained an injury during the incident.

The total financial penalty amounts to 5.25 million, alongside the restriction barring spectators from the club’s next three home fixtures.

The disciplinary action also affects the match commissioner, who has been recommended for demotion to a lower league over alleged dereliction of duty, inadequate supervision and insufficient reporting of the match.

The club has 48 hours from the date of the notice to appeal the decision.

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FIBA congratulates new NBBF president, recognizes election

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The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has congratulated Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha on his election as President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), acknowledging the successful conduct of the federation’s elective congress held on October 15, 2026.

A statement from the NBBF Media office said FIBA, in an official letter signed by FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis congratulated Mustapha and all elected board members who will serve the federation for the 2026-2030 term.

FIBA’s letter acknowledged receipt of the NBBF’s communication confirming the outcome of the election and commended the federation’s commitment to good governance and compliance with its constitution and applicable FIBA regulations.

The recognition represents a significant endorsement of the electoral process and Mustapha’s emergence as NBBF president, reinforcing the international body’s acknowledgement of the new leadership.

FIBA also recognized the support provided by relevant Nigerian authorities and stakeholders throughout the electoral process, highlighting the importance of institutional cooperation in advancing basketball administration in the country.

The international federation also expressed appreciation to the outgoing NBBF board, led by Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, for its work and contributions to Nigerian basketball.

Zagklis further recalled his recent meeting with Mustapha in Berlin and expressed his expectation of meeting him again in person, wishing the new president and his colleagues success throughout their tenure.

The new leadership is expected to build on the recognition and institutional support to strengthen basketball development, improve governance and advance Nigeria’s competitiveness on the continental and international stages.

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