Al-Ittihad striker George Ilenikhena is thrilled to receive his maiden call-up to the Nigeria senior national team ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• A Proud Milestone: Speaking at a media briefing in Uyo, the 20-year-old described his invitation as a huge honor, expressing pride in joining the squad alongside established players.

• Positive Team Spirit: Having arrived in camp on Tuesday, Ilenikhena praised the welcoming environment, noting that the team feels like a tight-knit family.

• Ready to Contribute: Eager to make his first appearance when Nigeria takes on Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, he promised to give his best whenever called upon by head coach Éric Chelle.

The Federal High Court has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to conduct a fresh governorship primary in Gombe State after nullifying the previous process that produced Prof. Isa Ali Pantami as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• The Judgment: Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed delivered the judgment on Thursday, granting the order following a legal suit filed by PDP governorship aspirant Usman Aliyu Garry.

• The Challenge: Garry had challenged Pantami’s emergence, arguing that the mandatory primary election was not properly conducted in line with relevant rules.

• The Court’s Order: The court directed the PDP to organize a brand-new primary election that strictly complies with the party’s guidelines and relevant electoral laws.

Background on Pantami’s Candidacy:

• Switching Parties: Pantami initially sought to run under the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a governorship aspirant, but left the party after the APC chose Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus candidate.

• PDP Ticket: Following his defection to the PDP, he was announced as the party’s sole governorship candidate on June 26, 2026, after securing the ticket through voice affirmation at a primary held in May.

• Next Steps: With the nullification, the PDP must now conduct a new primary to determine its official candidate for the upcoming Gombe governorship race.

England winger Anthony Gordon believes the Three Lions can achieve success in major tournaments by leaning into their natural strengths rather than attempting to replicate Spain’s possession-based style.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Moving Past World Cup Heartbreak: Reflecting on England’s third-place finish at the World Cup—which included a painful 2-1 semi-final loss to Argentina—Gordon admitted he initially felt devastated, but believes the experience can serve as a stepping stone toward future victory.

• Rejecting the Copycat Approach: Having moved from Newcastle to Barcelona in the summer, Gordon feels uniquely positioned to compare styles, stating that England should stop trying to mimic Spanish players because English footballers possess distinct, unique qualities.

• Not in the English DNA: Gordon argued that trying to teach or adopt Spain’s patient style of dominating possession is unrealistic because it simply does not align with English football DNA.

Reflecting on Tactics and Responsibility:

• The Argentina Substitution: Although surprised to be substituted 17 minutes after scoring against Argentina, Gordon acknowledged that wingers frequently get replaced during games.

• Player Accountability: Defending manager Thomas Tuchel against criticism over his tactical shift to a back five, Gordon insisted that the players must take responsibility for failing to control the game in the final minutes.