Former Arsenal academy forward and Chichester City FC striker, Billy Vigar, has passed away after sustaining a “severe brain injury.” The 21-year-old, who was born in Worthing, suffered the injury during an Isthmian League Premier Division match against Wingate and Finchley on Saturday. Reports suggest he may have struck a concrete wall, though the club has not officially confirmed this. On Tuesday, Vigar underwent surgery in hopes of improving his chances of recovery. While the procedure offered some help, the injury ultimately proved fatal, and he passed away on Thursday morning. “The outpouring of support from the initial update reflects just how deeply Billy was admired and cherished within the football community,” his family noted. Arsenal paid tribute, remembering Billy for his talent, passion, pride in representing the club, and the warmth he shared with teammates and coaches, while offering condolences to his family and friends.Derby County, Hastings United, Eastbourne Borough, and The FA also offered their condolences.Chichester City announced Vigar’s passing and stated that Saturday’s match against Lewes will be postponed and rearranged.

Nigerian heavyweight Efe Ajagba has broken into the world’s top 10, according to the latest rankings released by The Ring magazine on Thursday.The 30-year-old boasts a professional record of 20 victories, one defeat, and one draw, with 14 of his wins coming by knockout. His inclusion places him among an exclusive group of elite fighters. At the top of the heavyweight ladder is Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk, recognized as champion, followed by Britain’s Tyson Fury, who leads the contenders.New Zealand’s Joseph Parker and Germany’s Agit Kabayel remain firmly in the top three. Ajagba’s entry follows a series of strong performances that have revived his push for a world title.

The organisers of the prestigious Ballon d’Or award have revealed the three major criteria that will guide the selection of this year’s winners. According to the announcement, the first criterion centres on **individual performance throughout the year**, with particular recognition for players who demonstrated decisive brilliance in crucial moments. The second criterion focuses on **team success**, rewarding those whose contributions played a significant role in the achievements of their club or national side in major competitions. Finally, the organisers highlighted the importance of **class and fair play**, emphasising that the Ballon d’Or is not solely about statistics or technical ability, but also about celebrating players who embody the spirit of football both on and off the pitch. This clarification is aimed at providing fans and analysts with greater transparency, as debates over potential winners often dominate discussions in the build-up to the ceremony. The **2025 Ballon d’Or awards** will be held in Paris on **Monday, 22 September**. ### Men’s Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembélé, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Désiré Doué, Denzel Dumfries, Serhou Guirassy, Viktor Gyökeres, Erling Haaland, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Robert Lewandowski, Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martínez, Kylian Mbappé, Scott McTominay, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Michael Olise, Cole Palmer, Pedri, Raphinha, Declan Rice, Fabián Ruiz, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Vinícius Júnior, Vitinha, Florian Wirtz, Lamine Yamal. ### Women’s Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees Sandy Baltimore, Barbra Banda, Aitana Bonmatí, Lucy Bronze, Klara Bühl, Mariona Caldentey, Sofia Cantore, Steph Catley, Temwa Chawinga, Melchie Dumornay, Emily Fox, Cristiana Girelli, Esther González, Caroline Graham Hansen, Patri Guijarro, Amanda Gutierres, Hannah Hampton, Pernille Harder, Lindsey Heaps, Chloe Kelly, Frida Maanum, Marta, Clara Mateo, Ewa Pajor, Clàudia Pina, Alexia Putellas, Alessia Russo, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Caroline Weir, Leah Williamson.

All is set for the much-anticipated Ofugara Peace and Unity Cup Draws, scheduled to take place tomorrow, Saturday, September 20, 2025, at exactly 12:00 noon. According to the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Mr. Davison, the prestigious event will be hosted at the Protea Hotel by Marriott, along the NPA Express Road, Ekpan. This year’s edition promises thrilling moments as 24 veteran clubs, made up of players aged 43 years and above, gear up to compete for one prestigious trophy. The atmosphere is expected to be electrifying as football elites converge, with fans and supporters eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the battle lines. For those who cannot make it to the venue, the draws will be streamed live on Facebook @waffitv and Facebook @ofugara, giving everyone an opportunity to be part of the excitement as the journey to unity and sporting glory begins.

After months of public outcry, FIFA, the world’s football governing body, has formally launched disciplinary proceedings against South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March. According to South African outlet SABC Sport, FIFA has pressed charges against both the South African Football Association and Mokoena. “In a letter to SAFA dated September 15, 2025 – seen by the public broadcaster, FIFA confirmed that both the player and the association face charges of breaching several disciplinary regulations, including the fielding of an ineligible player,” the report stated. “The case has been referred to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, with SAFA and Mokoena given six days to submit their response.” Bafana Bafana are now facing disciplinary charges for fielding Teboho Mokoena, who was ineligible to feature in the March 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho. The 28-year-old midfielder had already picked up two yellow cards earlier in the qualifiers — first against Benin in November 2023 and later against Zimbabwe in June 2024 — a tally that, under FIFA rules, automatically triggered a one-match suspension. If found guilty, South Africa risk forfeiting the match, which would award Lesotho a 3–0 victory by default. Additional penalties such as fines or suspensions may also follow. Currently topping Group C with 17 points, Bafana Bafana could see their lead cut, as a points deduction would leave them tied with Benin Republic (14 points) and just three points clear of Nigeria, throwing the race for the group’s sole automatic qualification spot wide open with two matches left. Lesotho, on the other hand, would move from six to nine points but remain in fifth place, trailing Nigeria and Rwanda — both on 11 points — by two. South Africa are set to face Zimbabwe and Rwanda in their last two qualifiers in October, while Nigeria will battle Lesotho away and Benin Republic, hoping for slip-ups from Bafana Bafana. FIFA recently sanctioned Equatorial Guinea for a similar offence after Emilio Nsue was fielded despite being ineligible, a decision later upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Former Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, has urged that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) be dissolved if the national team fails to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria’s hopes now hang by a thread after playing out a draw against South Africa in the Group C qualifiers, a result that leaves the Super Eagles in third place—six points adrift of the Bafana Bafana—with only two matches remaining. Mikel blamed the team’s struggles on the NFF, stressing that the federation’s poor management has been at the heart of Nigeria’s qualification woes. “If Nigeria doesn’t qualify for the World Cup, the entire NFF board has to go… it’s unacceptable,” the former Chelsea star said on the Obi One Podcast. “We didn’t qualify for Qatar — the last World Cup — and now it looks like again we are not going to make it. Honestly, I have nothing to say about it,” the ex-midfielder said. “It is just horrible. Do you blame the players? No, I don’t blame the players. Yes, the players have to take responsibility for the situation but are you gonna blame the players alone? No. “Again, we talk about it so many times, and that’s why you have people disrespect the African continent and football. Mikel believes the people who run football in Nigeria should be held “accountable” for the country’s woeful outing in the qualifiers. “Yes, the players have to take responsibility but the biggest challenge is from the top,” the ex-Lyn Oslo star said. The Super Eagles are on 11 points after eight matches, six behind leaders South Africa. While there are two matches to end the qualification race for Africa, Nigeria are at huge risk of not making it as one of the four second-best teams for a playoff. The qualification races returns next month with Nigeria going away to Lesotho before welcoming neighbours the Benin Republic. If they win the two games in other matches go their way, the three-time African champions may sneak in as one of the best-four teams for a play-off competition.

Chelsea Football Club has been hit with 74 charges for alleged breaches of Football Association (FA) regulations. In a statement issued on Thursday, the FA said the charges include violations of: FA Football Agents Regulations (Regulations J1 and C2) FA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries (Regulations A2 and A3) FA Third-Party Investment in Players Regulations (Regulations A1 and B3) The alleged misconduct occurred between 2009 and 2022, with most of the cases tied to the 2010/11 to 2015/16 seasons. Chelsea has been given until 19 September 2025 to formally respond.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has strongly criticised Super Eagles forward Cyriel Dessers while also faulting team captain William Troost-Ekong following Tuesday’s 1-1 stalemate against South Africa in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Bloemfontein. The Eagles, desperate for a win to keep alive their fading qualification hopes for next year’s tournament in North America, were dealt an early blow when Ola Aina limped off after just eight minutes. The setback deepened in the 25th minute when Troost-Ekong inadvertently put the ball into his own net, gifting Bafana Bafana the lead. Calvin Bassey restored parity with a header shortly before half-time, but Nigeria squandered several chances in the second half. Despite dominating possession, substitutes Tolu Arokodare, Samuel Chukwueze, and Chrisantus Uche all failed to breach the resilient South African defence. In its post-match statement made available to journalists on Tuesday by the NFF Director of Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire, the NFF singled out Dessers, who was withdrawn at half-time, for particular criticism. “Cyriel Dessers, who had an unimpressive game in Uyo where he turned out to be a substitute that was substituted, did not have a better game as he was too slow to latch onto passes, could not win aerial balls and did little in bringing alive the Nigerian attack,” the statement read. The statement also faulted skipper Troost-Ekong for handing the Bafana Bafana the opener. “The Super Eagles’ fighting spirit was diminished for a period after team captain William Ekong inadvertently swept the ball into his own net in the 25th minute, wrong-footing Stanley Nwabali to give the Bafana the lead and great impetus,” the statement noted. The federation, however, praised Calvin Bassey for his resilience after the Fulham defender grabbed Nigeria’s equaliser just before the break. “Defender Calvin Bassey showed immense fighting spirit and resilience to get Nigeria back into the game with a minute left of the first period, when he ran with the ball upfront. The ball found Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, whose pull-out Bassey met firmly to nod past Ronwen Williams for the leveller,” the federation added. But it reserved more criticism for the team’s second-half display. Despite dominating possession in the second half, the NFF lamented that the Eagles “delivered little,” noting that substitutes Tolu Arokodare and Dele-Bashiru failed to convert late opportunities. The draw leaves Nigeria with 11 points from eight matches in Group C, while South Africa remain top with 17. The Super Eagles must now beat Lesotho and Benin Republic in their remaining fixtures and also hope rivals drop points to stand any chance of reaching next year’s World Cup in North America.

Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of the Super Eagles’ decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa. The striker was forced off in the first half of Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Uyo, initially sparking concerns of an ankle injury. However, the team doctor later diagnosed the setback as a shin bruise. According to journalist Sulaimon Adebayor, popularly known as Pooja, citing official NFF sources, Osimhen woke up with discomfort on Sunday morning and has been withdrawn from the squad traveling to Johannesburg for Tuesday’s clash with South Africa. The 26-year-old had only just returned to the national team after missing the Unity Cup triumph in May and the 1-1 draw with Russia. He previously netted twice against Rwanda in March and saw a goal ruled out for offside before leaving the pitch early on Saturday. His absence comes as a major setback for head coach Eric Chelle, who had counted on the prolific forward’s firepower in the crucial encounter against Bafana Bafana.

The Super Eagles revived their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on Saturday with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, in a tense Group C showdown. Substitute Tolu Arokodare emerged as the match-winner, breaking the deadlock in the 51st minute after reacting quickest to a loose ball inside the box and calmly slotting past Rwanda’s goalkeeper to hand Nigeria a crucial victory. Both sides started the encounter cautiously, aware of the stakes at hand. Nigeria had gone into the game placed fourth in Group C with seven points from six matches, trailing leaders South Africa, who had extended their advantage to 16 points following a 3-0 win over Lesotho on Friday. The hosts were dealt a major blow in the first half when striker Victor Osimhen limped off with an ankle injury in the 36th minute after a challenge from a Rwandan defender. The Galatasaray forward had first gone down inside the box in the 27th minute but attempted to continue before collapsing again in visible distress. Medical staff treated him on the pitch before he was substituted for Cyril Dessers, leaving Osimhen visibly frustrated as ice was applied to his ankle on the sidelines. Despite the setback, Nigeria continued to push forward but neither side could find the opener before the halftime whistle, with both adopting a cautious approach knowing that one mistake could decide the contest. Six minutes after the restart, Arokodare seized his moment. Introduced as a substitute, the striker pounced during a crowded goalmouth scramble to fire home and give the Super Eagles the breakthrough they had been searching for. Rwanda, managed by Adel Amrouche, responded with tactical changes and showed resilience, but the Nigerian defence, well marshalled by Calvin Bassey, stood firm and preserved the slender lead. The Amavubi had begun the game in second place on eight points and were hoping to boost their dream of a maiden World Cup appearance. However, they could not find a way past Nigeria’s disciplined back line. With the win, the Super Eagles leapfrogged Rwanda into third place on 10 points from seven matches. South Africa remain firmly at the top with 16 points, while Benin Republic sit second with 11 points after their triumph over Zimbabwe on Friday. The result rekindles Nigeria’s hope of reaching the 2026 World Cup, to be staged across the USA, Mexico, and Canada, though South Africa’s commanding lead means the Super Eagles still face a daunting task. Next up for Nigeria is a decisive away clash against the group leaders in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, a match that could further define their qualification prospects. For coach Eric Chelle, the win provides a much-needed confidence boost heading into the final stretch of the qualifiers, even as concern lingers over Osimhen’s injury, which could affect both Nigeria and his Turkish club side, Galatasaray.